There were contrasting fortunes on Wednesday night for the team near the top and team near the bottom of the table.
Tottenham went down 1-0 to a hard-working Leicester City side courtesy of a Robert Huth header, whilst Sunderland put four past Swansea City with Jermain Defoe grabbing three goals to put The Black Cats within one point of safety.
Saturday’s lunchtime kick off sees the two sides meet, with Spurs expecting to take all three points at home to make up for their disappointing showing against The Foxes.
But Sam Allardyce’s team showed a rare ruthlessness at The Liberty Stadium which makes them a more dangerous threat to Tottenham should Mauricio Pochettino’s men once again fluff their lines.
Tottenham
Spurs stuttered on a rainy Wednesday night in North London, as they lost ground on the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and surprise package Leicester.
21 shots but no goals tells its own story and increases the need for Tottenham to sign reinforcements upfront.
They can’t keep relying on Harry Kane to score all the time, especially when there’s currently no viable option on the bench.
Despite Poch’s insistence, summer signing Heung-Min Son hasn’t done enough to suggest he can play as a sole striker, whilst Christian Eriksen’s form seems to have deserted him.
However, defeat against Newcastle saw Spurs win three in a row and earn a more then deserved draw away at Everton.
The hope is that a similar reaction will occur against a usually poor Sunderland side.
Spurs have won five of the last six meetings against The Black Cats and are unbeaten in 11.
They also welcome back Mousa Dembele to full fitness, who coming on as a sub against Leicester, should regain his place at the expense of Tom Carroll who has been filling in for the Belgian.
Sunderland
What a result in South Wales.
A much-needed win for Sunderland puts them just a point off Swansea in 17th place and a win at Spurs would be a huge boost to their chances of survival.
What is likely to hinder them though is their appalling defence which has shipped a league-high 41 goals.
Without a clean sheet since back to back shutouts against Crystal Palace and Stoke in November, it seems unlikely they’ll make it a third in the Premier League on Saturday.
Scoring goals has been a different matter for Sunderland, netting in four of their last five games and with former Spur Defoe grabbing a hat-trick in midweek, he’ll be the dangerman for the visitors on Saturday.
Back to back league wins has given Allardyce’s team more of a fighting chance to beat the drop and a win could, but they haven’t won at White Hart Lane since 2008.
Doing so could give Sunderland the chance to go out of the relegation zone and draw in the likes of Bournemouth and Norwich City.
Last time out
13th September 2015 – Sunderland 0-1 Tottenham
The Tottenham view: Heung-Min Son, midfielder
“Wednesday night was very unlucky. Every game is very important for us but Saturday is especially important now and we must concentrate on the pitch.
“I think Sunderland are a very good team, they have a good striker in Jermain Defoe, an ex-player of Spurs, but we must look just at us.
“We play very well, normally we have a very good defence, we work very hard for the other team to stay at zero goals and for us to win.
“We also have a very good offensive side – it’s not easy but we will try everything to get the three points on Saturday.” (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Sunderland view: Jermain Defoe, striker
“The Tottenham and Bournemouth games are huge – on a personal note it will be special going to the Lane.
“We go there confident though. It is important we recover and look forward to the next game.
“You don’t want to be down there, you’d love to be in a comfortable position. But in the position we are, you have to raise your game.
“We have a strong squad and everyone is positive. Hopefully we can kick on, the lads are confident.” (Sunderland Echo)
Prediction
Spurs need a response to their disappointing defeat to Leicester and Sunderland are right for the taking, providing Kane and co are more clinical up front.
Tottenham 3-1 Sunderland
