Sunderland vs Tottenham: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell celebrates his equaliser against Manchester United (Getty)

Sunderland’s vulnerability from set pieces was highlighted once again at QPR last time out, and manager Gus Poyet has reacted in the transfer market. The former Spurs man has brought in tall Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates on loan to sure up the backline, while another South American, Ricky Alverez, has been added to the midfield. The midfielder scored in his last game against Spurs – in a Europa League match for Inter Milan – and Poyet will hope he can have a similar impact here.

The Black Cats have struggled recently against Tottenham though, with no wins in their last eight Premier League games against the London side. Their poor record was compounded last season with a 5-1 humbling at White Hart Line.

One player who shone in the game was Spurs’ Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, who scored once and set up two, but has yet to find his form this season. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will hope that this game will give the Danish international the opportunity to replicate some of his performances from last season.

Tottenham have largely enjoyed a good start to the season, save the blip against Liverpool in their last game, and a win for the Londoners could see them back in the top four. Sunderland meanwhile could rise as high as seventh with three points.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham 5 (Adebayor 2, Kane, Eriksen, Sigurdsson) Sunderland 1 (Cattermole), Premier League, April 2014

Sunderland 1 (Johnson) Tottenham 2 (Paulinho, O’Shea OG), Premier League, December 2013

Tottenham 1 (Bale) Sunderland 0, Premier League, May 2013

STATS…

John O’Shea has scored in this fixture in each of the past two seasons, just not always at the right end of the pitch!

Spurs have won their last four games against Sunderland.

The Black Cats have won 42.31% of their home games against Spurs.

Two unlikely candidates lead Tottenham’s goalscoring charts – defender Eric Dier and midfielder Nacer Chadli, each on two.

Tottenham’s Erik Lamela has won more free kicks (10) than any other player in the Premier League this season.

ODDS…

Sunderland to win: 3.95

Tottenham to win: 2.2

Draw: 3.55

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.50pm.