#五大联赛赛前预测官 Tomorrow is the first home match of the new season, and Tottenham are facing Newcastle—the team that handed them their key player—so they have no excuses.

Neither team won in the opening round. Tottenham were humiliated 3-0 away by Brentford, but this match has a storyline far more intense than the league itself.

This summer, Tottenham spent a full £100 million to bring Newcastle’s midfield core player Tonali over. With £92.5 million guaranteed plus £7.5 million in add-ons, they immediately doubled Tonali’s weekly wages to £275k. There is nothing particularly unusual about the deal itself, but what is bizarre is that Newcastle knew Tonali was the team’s brain, sold both Guimaraes and Gordon as well, and dismantled almost half the squad—then personally handed their most important piece to the opponent they are facing today. A theory has circulated throughout the offseason: Tottenham wanted Newcastle to “spit back” the £275k they paid for Tonali on the pitch. What does that mean? You accepted the transfer fee, but now you have to repay the favor. Tomorrow’s match is the time to “settle the debt.” Sounds like a conspiracy theory? Don’t forget that just a few months ago, a reporter from a British sports radio station openly suggested on air that Newcastle should “strategically lose.” Tottenham may have suffered a heavy defeat in the opening round, but they immediately thrashed Charlton 5-1 in the League Cup. Their £85 million new signing Savio scored on his debut, and the attack clearly found its rhythm.
As for Newcastle, they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Liverpool in the opening round, then conceded twice against Championship side West Brom in the League Cup. More importantly, Newcastle have won just four of their last 22 Premier League away matches. With that away-day weakness, going to the new White Hart Lane tomorrow will be a case of even the best cook being unable to make a meal without ingredients. Tottenham also have one notable characteristic: when injuries are not serious early in the season, they are a top-five team in the Premier League. The current line gives only a slight home advantage, making Tottenham feel unreliable, but precisely this kind of line is most likely to produce a twist. Tottenham’s management spent £300 million this summer, with the goal of finishing in the top five.
After being humbled in the opening round, tomorrow is the first home match of the new season, and they are facing Newcastle—the team that handed them their key player. Tottenham have no excuses.
Pick: Win + Draw