English Premier
2010-04-03 - Sunderland vs Tottenham
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday, 3rd April 2010 - Kickoff 3pm
Analysis :
Tottenham enters this match seeking to get a sixth win in a row and they will not have any sympathy against the Black Cats who are not yet safe from the threat of relegation.
Sunderland were beaten in their last match against Liverpool at Anfield and even though it was only 3-0, the result could have been far worse. After a winless run in winter, it seemed that Steve Bruce had steadied the side but now their last six games will be crucial to their stay in the Premiership as Bruce has admitted there is still work to do to avoid the drop, despite currently occupying 13th place and eight points above the relegation zone.
One player Steve B ruce will be unable to call upon will be Alan Hutton as the right-back is ineligible to face his parent club under the terms of his loan agreement. Paraguay international Paulo da Silva could come into central defence as Bruce feels he has adjusted himself well to English football.
That means Bruce could start with the same backline that finished the match against the Reds with Anton Ferdinand on the left, Phil Bardsley the right and Michael Turner in the middle with Da Silva. But a majoy doubt will be John Mensah who has a persistent injury problem. David Meyler could start after missing the games with Aston Villa as well as Liverpool.
One player with a point to prove will be Darren Bent while Fraizer Campbell will also want to show his worth after playing on loan for them last term.
As for the visitors Tottenham, they are favourites to clinch the last fourth place for the Champions League. With the amount of injuries they have had it is rather surprising that they have won five games in a row now. However, they are just two points above fifth-placed Manchester City and cannot afford any slip ups in this match.
Next weekend they will play against Portsmouth in the semi-finals of the FA Cup then Tottenham returns for back-to-back games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United which will be a true test to them if they are to keep their fourth spot.
Harry Redknapp will welcome back Jermaine Defoe after he recovered from a hamstring injury there is the question of who will partner him between Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko or Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Kyle Walker started out at full-back against Portsmouth in the absence of the injured Vedran Corluka, while Wilson Palacios was again left on the bench as he could face suspension with another booking.
Palacios could start though as Tom Huddlestone is out with an ankle injury, while Younes Kaboul might come in to replace Michael Dawson is out with an Achilles injury.
The likes of Aaron Lennon, Jonathan Woodgate and Carlo Cudicini are long-term absentees, while Ledley King has not played since February.
Take Tottenham to get all three points and make it six games in a row.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham 2-1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Tottenham for the win here.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Tottenham to cover the handicap.
