English Premier
2013-05-19 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 19 May 2013 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Tottenham Hotspur
While most of the fans in attendance at White Hart Lane will be keeping their eyes on the action on the field, a lot of them will also be keeping their ears pressed to a radio to hear what is happening in the North East at the same time. Tottenham Hotspur are desperate to finish in the top four in the Premier League, but they need to win this game and hope Newcastle United can avoid defeat against Arsenal.
At the start of the final set of games in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur are 5th in the Premier League table, 1 point behind Arsenal but with a far inferior goal difference. The side will certainly still feel confident that they can complete their part of the equation by winning the game at a venue where Spurs are 10-5-3 this season, scoring 28 goals and conceding 18.
Tottenham Hotspur are unbeaten in their last 9 games in all competitions since a surprising 0-1 loss to Fulham here, although Spurs have also only won 4 of their last 7 games in the Premier League. They have won back to back games at home against Manchester City and Southampton and Spurs have won 4 of their last 6 Premier League games at White Hart Lane.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto is back from injury and there are no new injury concerns from the side that won at Stoke City last weekend.
Sunderland
While Tottenham fans would have been very disappointed with Arsenal's 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Tuesday evening, Sunderland fans would have been celebrating as that ensured they will still be in the Premier League next season. However, Paolo Di Canio is demanding his team end the season with a bang and he has threatened to bring the players back from their holidays far soon than anticipated if the performance here isn't one he likes.
Sunderland are 17th in the Premier League, but they have every chance to finish much higher than that if they win this game and results go their way. While there will be changes in the playing staff this Summer, it doesn't mean Di Canio is happy to see his side collapse in a similar manner to when they played at Aston Villa recently. The side have a 4-4-10 away record this season, scoring 21 goals and conceding 34.
They have limped to safety following back to back wins over Newcastle United and Everton, recording 2 points from a possible 9 heading into this game. Sunderland have lost 5 of their last 6 away games in the Premier League, although the exception was their stunning win at St James' Park, and their last away game in the League saw them thumped 6-1 at Villa Park.
Connor Wickham is back in the squad to give Di Canio some attacking options with Steven Fletcher injured and Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner suspended. Danny Rose cannot play against his parent club.
Head to Head
Sunderland had a lead at half time when these sides met earlier this season, but Tottenham Hotspur came back to win 1-2 at the Stadium of Light.
Spurs beat Sunderland 1-0 here last season and have won 2 of their last 3 games at White Hart Lane against them.
Prediction
I think Tottenham Hotspur will win this game, but the odds are taking into consideration that they 'need' to win and Sunderland have nothing to play for.
However, Sunderland have generally performed well under Paolo Di Canio and I would be surprised if they rolled over in this one, while there will be some nerves in the home side that need to win and could also be listening for news from Newcastle United's game against Arsenal.
I did look for a way to keep Gareth Bale on my side, especially with the way he has carried Spurs at the back end of this season. While his odds for scoring look very short, I think the 3.00 on him winning 'Man of the Match' looks a good shout from this live TV game.
You have to think if he scores at anytime that Bale will be in the running for this and the odds are slightly shorter than him scoring first so I'll take my chances with that.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Sunderland
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Gareth Bale to win 'Man of the Match' @ 3.00 (Ladbrokes)
