Tottenham are a team in transition under Roberto De Zerbi, and the early signs are all about style over substance. The Italian has spent big — £237 million since March — but the real story is the injury list that keeps biting. Pedro Porro, Mohammed Kudus, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert are all either out or doubtful. That is a brutal hand for any coach, let alone one trying to impose a new identity. Yet Spurs still have quality in the spine: Guglielmo Vicario in goal, a back line that could feature Archie Gray and Jan Bednarek, and a midfield that suddenly looks very Italian with Sandro Tonali pulling strings alongside Bruno Fernandes. The recent opener at Brentford was a grind — a 1-1 draw that felt like a point gained given the absences. There is no shame in that. The Gtech is a bear pit, and Spurs came away with something.

Newcastle, by contrast, arrive with a spring in their step after a 2-1 win over Liverpool at St James' Park in their opener. That result was no fluke — they pressed Liverpool into mistakes and took their chances. But look closer and the cracks appear. Joelinton and Dan Burn are out injured, Livramento is doubtful, and the attack is suddenly reliant on the pace of Anthony Elanga and the raw energy of Will Osula. The German striker Nick Woltemade is struggling to adapt, and Yoane Wissa is still finding his feet. Matthias Jaissle's 4-3-3 is organised, but it lacks the cutting edge that a fully-fit Newcastle would boast. Away from home, against a Spurs side desperate to prove themselves, this is a different animal entirely.