Spurs host Sunderland this evening in a bid to revitalise there push for that fourth Champions League spot. There opponents Sunderland however, have also set there sights on Europe next season with a place in the Europa League. Tottenham sit one place above Sunderland in seventh with both teams on 15 points from 11 outings.
Tottenham have been made the favourites by bookmakers as the Black Cats search for there first away win of the season. They’ve also received a major blow with the news that top-scorer Darren Bent has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a hamstring problem. This did not affect them on Saturday though as his £14 million replacement Asamoah Gyan hit both goals in a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.
Spurs have a few injury problems themselves with doubts raised over Van Der Vaart and Aaron Lennon’s fitness so maybe they will be rested. They need to bounce back after the 4-2 loss at Bolton where they were well beaten by there strength and aggressive approach.
I will say Tottenham will win tonight as one loss in 19 league games at home is a very good record and Harry will not be accepting another disappointing performance. Spurs have a very good chance to get back into the fray with a home game at Blackburn next so with the table looking as open as it is and with the “big boys” playing each other, they could be back in contention.
Technically Spurs have the class to overhaul anyone on there day as we saw against Inter but is it complacency or just inconsistency which makes them drop points. You look at who they have lost to this season and they are games they should be winning, if not picking up a point. The likes of West Ham away and especially Wigan at home, they lost both. Other games against City and Everton at home; Spurs dominated both but still came away with a point in each. These games could prove to be vital in qualifying for Europe as we all know what there away record against the big teams. No wins in 68 which goes back to August 1993.
I’m going to say Tottenham will win tonight in front of a home crowd but failure to keep a clean sheet has gone on for 18 matches now so I think there will be a few goals. Darren Bent’s pace and movement will be a loss for Sunderland so nothing less than a victory will be insisted upon by Harry’s men.
Match prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Sunderland
