English Premier
2011-12-18 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 18 December 2011 - Kick Off 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur exited the Europa League on Thursday night, but that could be a blessing in disguise as Harry Redknapp has not hidden the fact that getting back into the Champions League is the minimum goal for this team this season. A defeat at Stoke has stopped a fine run of form for Spurs, and now we get to see their character as they look to bounce back.
Spurs' defeat at Stoke last weekend, in controversial circumstances, meant they dropped down to 4th in the table, but they remain just 7 points off Manchester City in 1st place and they also have an extra game to play on their rivals. Spurs are 5-0-1 at White Hart Lane this season, scoring 15 goals and conceding 7.
The team had won 10 of their previous 11 games in the Premier League following a 1-5 loss to Manchester City here in August. They have won 5 games in a row here in the League, and only Arsenal managed to stay within a goal of Tottenham, with all the rest beaten by 2 goals or more.
Harry Redknapp rested most of his first team for the trip to Shamrock Rovers on Thursday so we can expect the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Rafael Van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor all will be restored to the starting XI.
Sunderland
Martin O'Neill has come in as manager of Sunderland following the sacking of Steve Bruce, and he must have sprinkled some magic dust on his team as they fought back from a goal down against Blackburn to win the game in the final 6 minutes. The Black Cats still have plenty of work to do this season to ensure Premier League survival, but the win should provide a welcome boost to the side.
The win over Blackburn meant Sunderland were able to move up to 16th in the Premier League table and out of the relegation zone. They are only 2 points clear of Wigan in 18th as we enter a busy Christmas period of games. Sunderland are 1-2-4 away from home this season, scoring 6 goals but conceding 8.
3 points last weekend was vital for the Black Cats as they had earned just 2 points from their previous 15 available. Sunderland have lost 4 of their last 5 games away from home, although they have not been beaten heavily in any game this season. Sunderland lost at Arsenal and Manchester United by one goal- in fact, Sunderland have not lost a game by more than 1 goal this season either at home or away.
Kieran Westwood will continue in goal as the Craig Gordon and Simon Mignolet both remain on the sidelines. Nicolas Bendtner should be passed fit to play against a team he will be familiar with from his time with North London rivals Arsenal.
Head to Head
Tottenham and Sunderland drew 1-1 here last season, meaning they have gone 1-1-1 against one another in games at White Hart Lane over the last 3 seasons.
Spurs had won 8 in a row at home against the Black Cats before these results in recent seasons.
Prediction
It can be hard to guess how a team reacts to losing their first game in a long stretch, but that is the situation facing Tottenham Hotspur this week. However, the players should be fully rested and ready to get back into the saddle following their controversial loss at Stoke City.
Spurs have played an attacking brand of football all season, and they have been particularly effective at White Hart Lane where they have brushed aside all opponents in recent weeks. The likes of Bale, Modric, Van der Vaart and Adebayor give the side pace, penetration and goal-scoring ability which is making it tough for sides to keep up with them.
Sunderland have not been embarrassed in any game so far this season, but they do allow teams to create chances against them, while their own goal-scoring feats leave some room for improvement. Martin O'Neill has already identified buying a striker as a priority in January and I think it is that element being missing that will let them down here.
Tottenham have been free scoring at home this season and I fully expect they will be able to create the chances that will put Sunderland to the sword. I am taking the cautious approach and picking Spurs to cover the - 1.25 Asian Handicap which will return half the stake if they only win by 1 goal.
With the goals that are in the side, I just feel this will be the heaviest defeat Sunderland have suffered so far this season as Tottenham get back to winning ways.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Sunderland
