Tottenham Hotspur have shone this season but they still need to improve in the second-half of the campaign if they are to stand any chance of winning the Premier League. Whilst that remains unlikely, the charge for the top-four is on.
With Manchester United and Manchester City currently outside of the Champions League spots, you’d expect a charge from both clubs as they look to achieve their minimum expectations and it puts a great deal of pressure upon Spurs.
On Tuesday though, against a struggling Sunderland side, the Lilywhites will fancy their chances and will expect nothing less than three points. Dropping points against lower sides is something Spurs can’t afford to do this season, as it opens the door for their rivals.
With a few injury problems, Spurs have a little bit to think about heading into a busy week but this XI should be more than capable of securing all three points.
GK: Hugo Lloris
Guilty of errors that handed Manchester City two goals, Tottenham’s number one and captain needs to return to his best. Despite those errors, he still remains as one of the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League and Spurs need him.
Against Sunderland, Lloris will be looking to clinch a clean-sheet and put in a solid shift. Keeping Jermaine Defoe off the scoresheet could be difficult, though.
RB: Kyle Walker
One of the finest full-backs in the league, Kyle Walker has been pivotal for Tottenham this season in both defence and attack. Capable of being a thorn in the side for wide players, he should excel against the Black Cats.
Amidst a wealth of transfer speculation, Walker needs to keep a level head and remain focused on his performance. If he does that, he could well end up being Man of the Match.
CB: Toby Alderweireld
Carrying a niggle heading into the weekend, Tottenham will hope that Toby Alderweireld will be back to full fitness for the clash with Sunderland. The Belgian is a natural leader at the back and Spurs are solid with him in the side.
Unfortunately, he won’t be partnered with compatriot Jan Vertonghen as he is injured. That puts more pressure on Alderweireld to perform and lead the defence, something he should be able to do quite easily.
CB: Kevin Wimmer
The Austrian centre-back has struggled for game time this season but needs to make the most of the chances he gets whilst Jan Vertonghen is out injured. The jury remains out on the central defender but he does have the ability to perform.
Against a struggling Sunderland side, you’d expect a dominating performance from the defender but he’ll be up against in keeping Jermain Defoe quiet.
LB: Danny Rose
Equally as important as Kyle Walker on the right, Spurs will hope that Danny Rose is available as he too headed into the weekend with an issue. Should he return for the clash with Sunderland, Spurs’ chances of a victory will increase ten-fold.
Like Walker, Rose is also being eyed by some big clubs and he’ll have to remain focused. That shouldn’t be too difficult for a player of Rose’s calibre but we’ll wait and see.
CM: Mousa Dembele
The Belgian midfielder is arguably the most underrated component in Tottenham Hotspur’s side, with his contribution being comparable to N’Golo Kante at Chelsea. He may not make the headlines but he does help to control the midfield.
Dembele should be able to excel in the middle of the park against Sunderland and he could even get on the score sheet, if he’s lucky.
CM: Victor Wanyama
The Kenyan midfielder has made a strong impression since arriving at White Hart Lane from Southampton and his partnership with Dembele has been crucial to Spurs’ performances this season. Against Sunderland, expect another strong performance.
Keeping Eric Dier out of the side, Wanyama has made the position his own this season and should be able to continue his form into the latter stages of the campaign.
LW: Christian Eriksen
The Danish international may have gone from star-man to supporting cast member but that’s not down to a decline in his performances, instead being a result of the astronomical rise of some team-mates. Still, Christian Eriksen is a huge player.
As important as Kevin De Bruyne is to Manchester City and Mesut Ozil is to Arsenal, Eriksen has excelled with creating assists this season and should be able to play in his team-mates against Sunderland.
CAM: Dele Alli
The exceptional England international had a slow start to the season but has stormed back, with last year’s PFA Player of the Year already surpassing the tally of goals he achieved in his breakthrough campaign. Now on double figures, he could add to his record here.
Alli has been incredible and it’s no surprise to see his name linked to some of the biggest sides in the world. He needs to remain focused and down to earth though, which he should be able to do.
RW: Son Heung-Min
The South Korean international’s performances have decreased since the start of the season, when Son was Player of the Month, but he still remains as the most capable winger in the Tottenham squad. Against Sunderland, he could rise back into form.
Forming part of an exceptional attack alongside Alli and Eriksen, Spurs boast a dynamic front-line that provides a threat from all angles, which should be too much for Sunderland to deal with.
ST: Harry Kane
The star striker headed into this weekend carrying an issue but Spurs will hope he’s back to full fitness to put Sunderland to the sword on Tuesday evening, as they look to secure a comfortable victory and three points against the Black Cats.
One of the highest scorers in the Premier League this season, and missing a chunk through injury, Kane has responded to any doubters he’s had in recent years by remaining consistent. Spurs have a real gem on their hands here and they certainly know it.
