This match is pretty important for both teams with Tottenham looking to get back to winning ways having lost in the Champions League on Wednesday, whilst survival is once again the main aim for Sunderland – much to the annoyance of their fans.
Tottenham were on the end of a somewhat shocking defeat to Monaco in midweek. Clearly the Wembley factor and essentially playing away from home was a big factor in this but, luckily for them, they return to White Hart Lane – their true home on Sunday.
Their last Premier League game was a 4-0 thrashing of Sunderland’s relegation rivals (for the moment) Stoke City. England striker Harry Kane finally got his first goal of the season and, given he is often a slow starter, he can hopefully kick on and score 20 plus goals once again for Spurs this season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are good going forward and have scored in every match so far this season and, with just two goals conceded, they have the joint best defensive record in the league. On the face of it this is the perfect formula, however, draws against Merseyside teams Everton and Liverpool means Tottenham’s early season has been somewhat of a stutter.
Sunderland manager David Moyes managed to incur the wrath of the Black Cats fans when he said that his team’s main aim this season was just to survive. Having seen nothing but relegation battles for the past five years or so, it is easy to see why Sunderland fans are frustrated but, to be fair to Moyes, he was just being realistic.
One weapon which could ensure survival for Sunderland is Jermain Defoe. The former England international is both a true poacher and experienced Premier League goalscorer. Going back to his old stomping ground and having scored in his last six successive Premier League away games, I would certainly back the 33-year-old to find the back of the net on Sunday – despite Spurs’ defensive prowess – at a very highly priced 4/1. There is just something about strikers going back to old clubs that always seems to mean they score.
Having said that, overall you would expect Tottenham to win with their superior squad. So, with this in mind I have also gone for the hosts to come out on top and both to score at 21/10.
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