Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
Sunday 18 September
White Hart Lane
4.30pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Goalkeepers: Tottenham Hotspur were provided with a massive boost ahead their trip to Stoke City last weekend with Hugo Lloris returning from injury. The France no.1 suffered a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season against Everton but he returned in style keeping a clean sheet in a 4-0 win. The stopper is widely regarded as one of the best in world football and he captains both Spurs and the French national team, while also winning the Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year award on three occasions prior to his Premier League arrival in 2012. Spurs also boast an able deputy in former Swansea City ‘keeper Michel Vorm.
Defence: Last season’s title challenge was largely build on Spurs’ ability to score goals but their centre back pairing was equally important. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have formed a solid partnership following the former’s arrival in 2015, with both players also representing Belgium after starting their careers with Ajax. Kyle Walker is likely to take the right-back role having featured in Spurs’ opening four games, but former Black Cat Danny Rose faces a race against time after missing games against Stoke and Monaco – Ben Davies will once again deputise if needed.
Midfield: Son Heung-Min stole the show last weekend netting a superb double against Stoke in his first appearance of the season, but the South Korean isn’t the only Spurs midfielder to pose a threat on the attack. Dele Alli will also be hoping to push on after scoring his first goal of the campaign at the Bet365 Stadium, with Christian Eriksen already pulling the strings and Erik Lamela scoring one and assisting one in his first four games. Moussa Sissoko will be hoping to earn a starting berth after making his debut against the Potters with Victor Wanyama expected to once again shield the back four.
Attack: England international Harry Kane rediscovered his golden touch last weekend as Spurs cruised to victory at the Bet365 Stadium. Without a goal since May, the 23-year-old completed the scoring following a Son double and Alli’s first strike of the season. Summer signing Vincent Janssen will be hoping to follow in Kane’s footsteps having made five appearances without scoring for club and country, but after finding the net 31 times last season for AZ Alkmaar boss Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping it is only a matter of time.
Manager: After taking the south coast by storm, Mauricio Pochettino continued to build his impressive cv with a stellar first season at White Hart Lane despite being pipped to the title by Leicester City. The Argentine penned a new contract at White Hart Lane in May signing on until 2021, and it would be hard to bet against him bringing further success to Spurs who will of course play UEFA Champions League football this season. Pochettino won two Premier League Manager of the Month awards last season.
Team news
Tottenham Hotspur
Danny Rose is a doubt after missing games against Stoke City and Monaco due to a hamstring injury.
Spurs have no other fitness concerns.
Sunderland
Lee Cattermole returned to training last week but Vito Mannone, Seb Larsson and Fabio Borini are unavailable.
A further update will be available following the manager’s pre-match press conference on Friday.
Last time out
Sunderland 0-3 Everton
A positive opening period turned to dust at the Stadium of Light as the Black Cats crumbled and Romelu Lukaku ran riot.
The Belgium international scored an 11-minute treble during the second period to silence the SoL and send Everton into third place in the Premier League.
Ronald Koeman’s side romped through the gears following the interval and when Lukaku headed the opener the Black Cats failed to recover.
The Belgium international added a second eight minutes later – a second free header – before completing his hat-trick with 71 minutes played to complete a frustrating night for David Moyes’ side.
Stoke City 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur (BBC Sport)
Harry Kane ended a nine-match goal drought as Tottenham cruised to a comfortable win which kept Stoke bottom of the Premier League.
Son Heung-min steered in a first-half opener before doubling their lead with another smart, angled finish.
Dele Alli added the third by slotting in Kyle Walker's cut-back, before Kane fired in from Son's low cross.
Stoke, who saw boss Mark Hughes sent off, offered little as their winless start stretched to a fourth game.
Form (Premier League only)
Tottenham Hotspur: DWDW
Sunderland: LLDL
