Which sides have got the most work to do on January deadline day?

The Sky Sports News ticker is spiralling towards zero and Jim White is readying his famous yellow tie. It must be crunch-time for Premier League clubs in the January transfer window.    

There’s not long left to go now before football agents up and down the land go into hibernation until the summer ruckus begins. But which clubs still have the most work to do before January ends?

We’ve taken a look.

Newcastle United

Don’t be fooled by Newcastle’s win over Manchester City. The Magpies still require reinforcements.

Rafael Benitez remains short in key areas, and particularly at left-back, where Matt Ritchie has been deputising in Paul Dummett’s absence. Monaco ace Antonio Barreca is a rumoured replacement.

Their current midfield two of Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff could do with freshening up, while an extra body to shoulder the goalscoring burden up-front would also be welcome.

Paraguayan attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron is a nice addition. But there’s still work to do on Tyneside if the Magpies want to lengthen those 7/1 relegation odds.

Southampton

Ralph Hasenhuttl has sparked a revival on the South Coast since his arrival last month. The Austrian doesn’t suffer fools and could be busy as he continues to reshape his squad for the fight ahead.

Manolo Gabbiadini, Wesley Hoedt and Cedric Soares have already departed St Mary’s. You get the feeling more could go before January is up, with Charlie Austin and Alex McCarthy out of favour.

That leaves plenty of space for new arrivals, with Birmingham City ace Che Adams among those reportedly on Hasenhuttl’s hit list. His arrival may be dependent on Austin’s departure.

Regardless, the Saints need to add more goals and more bodies if they’re extend their 12/1 relegation odds  utilise the manager’s brand of pressing football to full effect. Watch this space.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur

We’re not quite sure how many new arrivals we’ll see in North London before January is out. But one thing is for certain – the rumour mill is going into overdrive.

Both Arsenal and Spurs require reinforcements to cope with an injury crisis, although it’s the Gunners who appear more likely to get some business done.

Unai Emery could really do with plugging some significant holes at the back. Yet it’s Denis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco who appear likely to join and bolster the club’s forward line.

Tottenham must wish they could nab one of those two to solve their own forward problems. No Harry Kane or Dele Alli has left them short up-front as they continue to fight on two fronts.

Mauricio Pochettino would love to get one or two new faces in the door, but as the window ticks on, their situation – and 50/1 title odds– is looking increasingly forlorn.

Click here for the latest transfer odds.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication