Sunderland v Tottenham: Predicted line-ups and where to watch as the De Zerbi era gets underway

Preview for Sunderland v Tottenham

Roberto De Zerbi insists he has “big confidence” in his Tottenham players as he prepares for his opening game in charge, at Sunderland on Sunday.

The Italian is Spurs’ third manager of the season, following on from Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, and joins them with the club precariously placed in 17th, just one point above the relegation zone.

He has little time to implement his ideas with Premier League survival the sole aim over the next six weeks but the former Brighton boss is optimistic he has enough quality at his disposal to help them escape danger.

He said: ”I watched a lot of [Tottenham] games but it’s one thing to watch at home and a different thing to work with them on the pitch. We have very big players, and young players – [Lucas] Bergvall, Archie Gray, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons – but in a way we have very important older players like [Micky] van de Ven. He is crucial.

“I’m lucky because I have big confidence in my players and their qualities. My target is to help them play well and enjoy the ball.”

De Zerbi says tactical transformations will come in time but the immediate aim is to instil some belief into the players.

“My style is one part about the style of play and one part about the character and personality,” he added. “I want to give organisation with and without the ball.

“What I want to achieve immediately is the character and the right spirit and courage to play and attack because the DNA of this club and squad is to find the goal and score.”

Sunderland have not played since the 2-1 derby victory at Newcastle and have had three weeks to bask in the glow of beating their hated rivals.

The Wearsiders have arguably achieved all their season’s goals but boss Regis Le Bris is adamant there should be no drop off in intensity.

He said: ”I think we still want to win and the pressure is internal. We want to win again at home because we struggled a bit in the last sequence. It’s about our standards.

“The main goal of the season [avoiding relegation] is probably achieved and it’s easy to forget this wasn’t easy. We showed togetherness and quality. We want to keep the standards.”

Sunderland are 11th in the table, only three points behind seventh placed Brentford and a European spot is not out of the question.

Asked if his side can play continental football next season, the Frenchman added: “I don’t know. Two seasons ago when I first started here, going to the Premier League was too early. We didn’t set any goals but we said we will work hard, we will work for our identity.

“For this season, it is the same. If it is possible, we are ready to achieve the goal, we will see and then we will manage the next goal.”

Team news for Sunderland v Tottenham

Sunderland have Robin Roefs, Reinildo, Nordi Mukiele and Enzo Le Fee available to start after injury. Reinildo and Le Fee were late substitutes against Newcastle with the latter setting up the last-gasp winner for Brian Brobbey. Dan Ballard, Nilson Angulo, Romaine Mundle and Bertrand Traore are still absent.

Antonin Kinsky will start in goal for Tottenham for the first time since being dragged off 17 minutes into the game at Atletico Madrid on March 10 with regular number one Guglielmo Vicario undergoing surgery on a hernia. Rodrigo Bentancur is close but not yet fit while Mohammed Kudus is unlikely to play again this season.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Ben Davies are sidelined.

Predicted line-ups for Sunderland v Tottenham

Sunderland: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra; Rigg, Le Fee, Brobbey

Tottenham: Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Gallagher, Sarr; Simons, Tel, Solanke

Where to watch Sunderland v Tottenham: TV and online streams

Sunderland versus Tottenham kicks off on Sunday at 2pm UK time. It forms the first part of Sky’s Super Sunday and can be watched on Main Event and Premier League. It can be streamed on Sky Go.

If you’re watching from outside the UK, click HERE for details of the channels showing the game in your region.

Stats for Sunderland v Tottenham

• Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games against Sunderland
• Sunderland have lost each of their last three Premier League home games but haven’t lost more league games in a row at the Stadium of Light since September 2017 in the Championship
• Tottenham haven’t won any of their last 13 Premier League games

Prediction for Sunderland v Tottenham

A fascinating contest in many ways. How will Spurs adapt to life under De Zerbi? How motivated will Sunderland be having secured Premier League survival and enjoyed home and away wins over Newcastle?

A lot of ponderables so we’ll sit on the fence!

Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Tottenham

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