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Tottenham will look to get back to winning ways this weekend when they go up against Sunderland at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Spurs lost for the first time in the Premier League last weekend in controversial fashion against Stoke, and now face a tricky tie against a Sunderland side buoyed by the arrival of new manager Martin O’Neill.
Harry Redknapp was left fuming after a number of controversial decisions by referee Chris Foy combined with a lacklustre first half performance from his side to consign his side to a 2-1 defeat against Stoke, and the former Portsmouth boss will look for a positive response from his side on Sunday.
After their outstanding 11 game unbeaten Spurs were heralded as one of the few sides able to challenge both Manchester City and Manchester United for the Premier League title this season, and with a busy Christmas schedule coming up Redknapp will be desperate to pick up three points before the Christmas fixtures start coming thick and fast.
The Spurs boss may be slightly concerned by the continued absence of Ledley King after seeing his side ship two soft goals in the first half against Stoke, and with Michael Dawson still missing the Tottenham defence may be vulnerable, especially given that William Gallas has only recently returned to action while Younes Kaboul is suspended after his red card against Tony Pulis’s side last week.
That leaves Spurs looking short at the back, with Sebastian Bassong likely to step into the side despite much game time under his belt in recent weeks to play alongside Gallas, and Sunderland will be hoping to exploit this perceived weakness.
For Sunderland, O’Neill’s arrival provided a timely boost for the Black Cats as they picked up three crucial points against fellow strugglers Blackburn thanks to a dramatic late turn around just a weke after O’Neill watched them throw away a lead against Wolves the week before.
Tottenham’s excellent home form this season has been the backbone to their strong start to the season while Sunderland have appeared vulnerable away from home, and have won only one game in their last seven on the road.
The visitors will be hoping the O’Neill effect carries on for another week, and the Northern Irishman has a good record agaisnt the Lillywhites, winning seven and losing just three of his 16 games against them.
Match winner
If Tottenham wish to cement their credentials as real title challengers they must look to win games such as the one this weekend against a struggling Sunderland side, and it is a game they are certainly favourites for.
Spurs are 1.40 (2/5) with BlueSQ to take three much needed points while Sunderland are real longshot at 9.00 (8/1) with SkyBet.
The draw is 5.00 (4/1) with VC Bet
First Goalscorer
Tottenham have been firing on all cylinders this season and in Emmanuel Adebayor they have on of the most in-form strikers in the Premier League.
The Togolese international is 5.50 (9/2) with BlueSQ, while Redknapp opted to play Rafael Van Der Vaart alongside him over Jermain Defoe agaisnt Stoke and may do so again this weekend – the Dutchman is 5.00 (4/1) with SkyBet to open the scoring.
Sebastian Larsson proved to be a match winner for Sunderland against Blackburn last week and is 15.00 (14/1) with SkyBet to get proceedings under way.
Recommended Bets
First Goalscorer: Gareth Bale, 8.00 (7/1) Ladbrokes
Correct score: 3-1 Tottenham, 11.00 (10/1) SportingBet
