NEWCASTLE Krul Simpson, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Santon Gutierrez, Cabaye, Anita Marveaux, Cisse, Ba

TOTTENHAM   Friedel Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto Sandro, Huddlestone Sigurdsson, Van der Vaart, Bale Defoe

Tottenham's Gareth Bale is expected to be fit for the contest, which will come as a big boost to manager Andre Villas-Boas, who will have to prepare for the game without midfielder Scott Parker, who is suffering from an Achilles problem. New signings Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson could both make their debuts at Sports Direct Arena.

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  Newcastle's last opening day league win came back in 2007 when goals from Obafemi Martins helped it to a 3-1 win at Bolton under then newly-appointed boss Sam Allardyce.

• The Magpies have not lost to Spurs at home in the league since 2004 when a goal from Thimothee Atouba proved to be enough to give Jacques Santini's men the win.

• The two teams last met on an opening day in 1993, when Spurs beat a newly-promoted Newcastle 1-0 at St James' Park.

• Newcastle's second biggest Premier League win was recorded against Spurs back in 1996 when it thrashed Gerry Francis' men 7-1. Its biggest win came in September 1999 when it beat Sheffield Wednesday 8-0 under new boss Bobby Robson, and Alan Shearer bagged five goals.

• Tottenham's last opening day league win was back in 2009 when it defeated Liverpool 2-1 thanks to goals from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong (pictured), who had recently signed from Newcastle.

• Spurs players Jermaine Jenas, Scott Parker and Sebastien Bassong have all enjoyed spells at Newcastle.

• Rafael van der Vaart and Jan Vertonghen and Newcastle's Vurnon Anita are all graduates of the world renowned Ajax academy.

• Spurs' 5-0 triumph over Newcastle at White Hart Lane last season was their biggest win of that campaign.

• Chris Hughton and Osvaldo Ardiles are the only two men to have managed both Newcastle and Tottenham in their careers.