Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 31.
Bruno Guimaraes (NEW)
He was made to wait several weeks for his first start with Newcastle United, but three successive classy 90-minute performances should ensure Bruno Guimaraes is one of the first names on Eddie Howe's team-sheet at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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The 24-year-old central midfielder scored with a volleyed backheel to earn a 2-1 win at Southampton on his full debut.
Narrow defeats by Chelsea and Everton followed, but in both, the player signed from Lyon impressed on and off the ball.
Guimaraes did not deserve to end up on the losing side in his last league outing, showing quality throughout a keenly contested 1-0 loss at Goodison Park.
Helping Howe's side dominate possession, he finished with a 97 per cent pass accuracy, displaying calmness and finesse with the ball.
Service to full-backs
The way Guimaraes played the ball out wide to full-backs Matt Targett and Emil Krafth stood out and that service is something Spurs may look to try and stifle.
In recent seasons, Newcastle have adopted a defensive style of play that is centred around a counter-attacking strategy.
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Across the previous three campaigns, they have averaged just 38.6 per cent of possession, a figure likely to increase with Guimaraes pulling the strings
Newcastle's attacking threat 2021/22
| Player | Shots/90 | Player | Tackles/90 |
| Guimaraes | 3.12 | Trippier | 3.97 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Maximin | 2.16 | S. Longstaff | 3.52 |
| Wilson | 2.05 | Murphy | 3.34 |
| Murphy | 1.78 | Guimaraes | 3.12 |
| Wood | 1.7 | Willock | 2.96 |
While most of his touches occur within a 10-yard area either side of the halfway line, Guimaraes does on occasion pop up in advanced positions, as he did with his goal at Southampton.
While the sample size is still small, the Brazilian currently averages more than three shots per 90 minutes for Newcastle.
Guimaraes's goal v Southampton
No team-mate at St James’ Park can replicate that and, while it is unlikely to last, it does show that he is not solely a defensive midfielder who sits in front of the back four.
Guimaraes's work-rate and tenacity have also impressed since he broke into the starting XI and he is somebody who regularly recovers the ball for his side.
Brazilian connection
The early signs suggest that Guimaraes's technical quality can have a transformational effect on Newcastle.
Alongside rejuvenated countryman Joelinton, who has been superb in a deeper role, the duo are performing well enough to ensure the battle for midfield supremacy is a competitive affair at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
