Sunderland v Tottenham
15:00
Sunderland have had a 10-day break since their last game, a 2-0 loss to West Brom that consigned the Black Cats to their fifth loss in their last seven fixtures, none of which they’ve won. They will face a Spurs side who snatched a result late on for the second successive game when they beat Wycombe in the cup at the weekend. The previous last-ditch result was their 2-2 draw with Man City, a game that snapped a six-game winning streak in the league, but they’ll back themselves to maintain their unbeaten run against the team at the foot of the table.
Spurs have an excellent record against bottom-six sides this term, winning all seven of their games and conceding in only two games. However, six of these seven games have been at home and the one away game was against a Stoke side that has improved subsequently, so they’re a somewhat unknown quantity in these fixtures. Sunderland’s draw with Liverpool at home was the only time they’ve picked up points against a top-six side this season, but the only time they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet at home since their September loss to Everton was during their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. Vertonghen is missing for the visitors and Spurs have conceded five across their last two games, so it would not be a surprise to see the Black Cats score at home.
Sunderland remain desperately short of players and will struggle to contain Spurs, but we think they’ll find a way to get on the scoresheet against a weakened Tottenham back line. We’re backing Both Teams to Score.
