Paul Merson expects a close game as Tottenham visit St James' Park on Saturday

Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle United for the early game on Saturday - kick-off is 12:30pm live on TNT Sport.

Spurs almost got their revenge this season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beating Newcastle 5-1 with Richarlison suddenly remembering he's an actual Brazil international, but they fell one goal short from equalling Newcastle's 6-1 mauling at St James' Park last season.

That will no doubt still be a bitter taste in their mouths and could be used as their motivation for this fixture.

Similarly, Newcastle can look back on that game as an example of what we can do to Spurs when we're in the mood, as well as looking for payback for this season's reverse fixture.

Paul Merson is going with a home win

In his column for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson has gone with a home win, despite how much the Magpies struggled at Fulham last week.

"Newcastle United got a great result against Fulham but I can't recall them playing particularly well. Tottenham, on the other hand, were outstanding against Nottingham Forest, with Micky van de Ven showing his class at the back with another eye-catching display.

"At St James' Park, I fancy Newcastle, so I'm going for a 2-1 home win. Tottenham need the points and have a bit of a nightmare run coming up, but I doubt they lose to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. There is a result for them in that run somewhere, so I think they'll be safe and finish above Aston Villa in the Premier League top four.

"Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham"

We can't call this one and it seems the pundits can't either

It's not often that Chris Sutton and Paul Merson's predictions are so very different, but this is one of those times with Sutton backing a Spurs win.

It is one of the harder fixtures to call as nothing ever seems to go to plan when these sides meet.

With plenty still to play for for both sides, it's a big fixture and will certainly be an entertaining one.