Newcastle United continue their pre-season tour of Asia with a high-profile test against Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul on Sunday, a fixture that’s part pre-season friendly, part footballing farewell, and part early barometer for two ambitious clubs heading into the 2025–26 campaign.
While the occasion will undoubtedly centre around Son’s farewell on home soil, for Newcastle it’s a critical opportunity to find rhythm, sharpen combinations, and confront the mounting questions around their attack.
This will be Spurs’ second game of their Asia tour, having already beaten Arsenal 1-0 in Singapore earlier this week. Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham’s new £60 million signing from West Ham, looked sharp and is already showing signs he could be a key figure in Thomas Frank’s evolving setup.
For Newcastle, who were beaten 1-0 by a K-League XI earlier in the week, Sunday’s clash presents a step up in intensity, and another chance for a short-handed squad to test themselves before their Premier League opener at Villa Park in two weeks’ time.
Howe Searching for Solutions Up Front
The biggest issue facing Newcastle is up front. With Callum Wilson departing earlier this summer and Alexander Isak declining to travel due to ongoing talks over his future, the squad currently lacks a senior centre-forward.
That absence was keenly felt in the previous game, with Newcastle lacking bite in the final third. Will Osula is showing plenty of enthusiasm, but the need for reinforcements is becoming urgent.
Willock Blow and Midfield Opportunity
In midfield, there’s been a setback. Joe Willock has suffered another injury setback, with Howe confirming the 25-year-old will be out for a minimum of six weeks with the injury that forced him off in Suwon. It’s another frustrating chapter for a player who has endured a stop-start career in Tyneside.
That could mean more responsibility for 18-year-old Lewis Miley, who continues to build on his strong pre-season. The talented midfielder has been one of Newcastle’s most composed performers on the Asia tour, controlling possession and offering tactical flexibility in transition.
Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are expected to start again, with Joelinton also pushing for minutes as he looks regain fitness ahead of the new campaign.
Son’s Farewell Adds Emotional Weight
While Newcastle’s focus is on fitness and tactical refinement, the match carries additional significance on the Spurs side. Sunday will be Son Heung-min’s final game for the club he joined in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen.
Across ten seasons, Son has scored 173 goals in 454 appearances, a modern icon for Tottenham and a symbol of consistency and professionalism. Last season’s Europa League triumph gave him long-overdue silverware, and his final appearance, in front of a home crowd in Seoul, will be charged with emotion.
But for Eddie Howe and Newcastle, the aim is clear: test themselves against strong opposition, plug the gaps up front, and leave Korea with answers rather than more questions.
With just two weeks until Aston Villa away, the time for clarity is now. Check out our predicted line up for tomorrow’s game.
How do you see the Magpies lining up against Spurs? Who should start up front, and where do you think the club most needs to strengthen before the season starts?
Join the discussion now in our Newcastle United community on WhatsApp and let us know your thoughts.
