Premier League Preview: Tottenham Hotspur - Sunderland

Kick-off: Saturday, November 7, 2009 - 15:00 GMT
White Hart Lane, north London

Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland have both enjoyed good starts to the Premier League season, as might have been expected after some big spending in the summer transfer window.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has already made it clear that he believes his squad is strong enough to mount a serious assault on the established elite in England's top flight, while Steve Bruce undoubtedly has more than just one eye on Europe for his Sunderland side.

The reality is that recent results have simply not been good enough for Redknapp and Bruce, with Tottenham being brushed aside by rivals Arsenal last weekend, whilst the Black Cats could only muster a draw at home against a struggling West Ham United team.

Still, neither side will be too perturbed by their current league positions – Spurs lie in 5th with Sunderland not too far behind in 8th. With both managers desperate get back to winning ways, White Hart Lane should see an open and exciting game of football on Saturday.

FORM GUIDE

Tottenham Hotspur

31 Oct: Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham (Premier League)
27 Oct: Tottenham 2-0 Everton (League Cup)
24 Oct: Tottenham 0-1 Stoke City (Premier League)
17 Oct: Portsmouth 1-2 Tottenham (Premier League)
3 Oct: Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Tottenham (Premier League)

Sunderland

31 Oct: Sunderland 2-2 West Ham (Premier League)
27 Oct: Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa (League Cup)
24 Oct: Birmingham 2-1 Sunderland (Premier League)
17 Oct: Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
3 Oct: Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland (Premier League

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur

Luka Modric has begun light training although is very unlikely to be involved against Sunderland as he continues to recover from a fractured fibula.

Winger Aaron Lennon is a major doubt which should result in another start for David Bentley.

Jonathan Woodgate is expected to start despite suffering a head injury in last weekend's home defeat to Stoke City, although Sebastien Bassong is out with the hamstring problem he sustained against Arsenal.

Possible starting XI: Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, King, Woodgate, Corluka, Kranjcar, Jenas, Palacios, Bentley, Defoe, Keane.

Sunderland

Kenwyne Jones is serving a suspension for his push on Herita Illunga last weekend, so Fraizer Campbell starts against the side where he spent a spell on-loan last season.

Lee Cattermole continues his recovery from a knee injury so will certainly be unavailable and to make matters worse, influential skipper Lorik Cana also misses out through suspension, having accumulated his fifth yellow card of the campaign.

John Mensah (calf) and Boudewijn Zenden (hip) are both doubtful while youngsters David Meyler and Adam Reed are included in Bruce's injury-hit squad.

Possible starting XI: Gordon, McCartney, Ferdinand, Turner, Bardsley, Richardson, Henderson, Reid, Malbranque, Campbell, Bent.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham Hotspur – David Bentley

After all his recent negative press, this is Bentley's big chance to let his feet do the talking. A string of decent performances will result in a number of January suitors, if indeed Harry Redknapp doesn't reassess Bentley's worth.

Sunderland – Darren Bent

There are a few Sunderland stars returning to their former stomping ground on Saturday but none of them will be as fired up as Darren Bent as he attempts to show the Tottenham faithful exactly what they are missing. Despite failing to find the net in his two previous outings, eight goals in 11 games equals a brilliant start to the season for Bent – and what better way to keep that record going than in the back yard of your former employers.

PREDICTION

Without tempting fate, this game really does have all the makings of a terrific clash that should be full of fast-flowing, attacking football.

While Sunderland will have nothing to fear given the improvements they have made to their side over the summer, the lack of bite in a midfield without Lorik Cana or Lee Cattermole will surely be a blow to their ambitions this time out.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Sunderland

Stephen Darwin, Goal.com UK