Verdict: Brian Brobbey over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting yet another new era underway on Sunday afternoon, Tottenham will travel to the Stadium of Light when they meet Sunderland.
Sunderland
Starting with the hosts, while Sunderland might have only made their iconic Premier League return this season, the Black Cats have received a string of plaudits from across England’s elite. Last seen heading into March’s international break with a famous 2-1 victory away at arch-rivals Newcastle, Regis Le Bris’ camp will be looking to claim another heavyweight top-flight scalp here. However, although only their goal difference might be seeking them outside the top-half of the Premier League standings, they have struggled to find any real fluidity on home soil. Including a disappointing 3-1 loss at the hands of Fulham on February 22nd, Sunderland have lost their previous three consecutive Premier League matchups at the Stadium of Light by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Sunderland Team News
Given additional time off due to March’s international break, Sunderland should welcome back the trio of Reinildo, Enzo Le Fee and Nordi Mukiele. However, forced to withdraw from North Ireland’s squad last month following a reported muscle issue, the Black Cats are sweating over the fitness of Dan Ballard.
Bagging what was a famous last-gasp winner away at Newcastle last time out, former Ajax striker Brian Brobbey will spearhead Sunderland’s attack. Making a major impact since arriving on Tyneside last summer, ex-Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka will start in the heart of Le Bris’ midfield.
Tottenham
As for the visitors, last seen heading into March’s international break with a woeful 3-0 drumming at home against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest, that result was the final nail in Igor Tudor’s Tottenham coffin. Now with Roberto De Zerbi at the helm, the former Brighton boss is more than aware that he has an almighty job on his hands in north London. Breaking a string of unwanted records this season, Sunday’s guests remarkably mark their return from March’s international break holding just a one-point buffer over the relegation zone. Rightfully coming under a huge amount of scrutiny this season, Tottenham have also astonishingly failed to win any of their previous 13 consecutive Premier League appearances so far this calendar year (eight defeats, five draws).
Tottenham Team News
Dealing with what has been a public injury nightmare, Tottenham will once again be without the likes of Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Ben Davies and ex-West Ham star Mohamed Kudus this weekend. However, Swedish international Lucas Bergvall could make a first start since the end of January.
Undergoing minor hernia surgery during the international break, Italian shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario is seen as a doubt. Micky van De Ven should return to the heart of Tottenham’s defence on Sunday afternoon and partner Cristian Romero.
Sunderland vs Tottenham Key Factors to Consider
- When Sunderland and Tottenham met for their reverse Premier League showdown on January 4th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in north London.
- Sunderland have lost their last three Premier League matchups on Tyneside by an aggregate score of 5-1.
- Tottenham have remarkably registered just five points from any of their 13 consecutive Premier League appearances so far this calendar year.
- Spurs have shipped 15 goals in their last seven matchups outside of north London across all competitions.
- Four of the last five meetings between Sunderland and Tottenham have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Tottenham might get yet another new era underway on Tyneside this weekend, Roberto De Zerbi is more than aware that he has an almighty job on his hands. Remarkably marking their return from March’s international break holding just a one-point buffer over the drop zone, Spurs have also collected just five points from any of their 13 Premier League appearances so far this calendar year. Although Sunderland might have shown some recent issues at the Stadium of Light, they will be smelling the chance to collect another heavyweight scalp here.
Verdict: Brian Brobbey over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet