Tottenham and Sunderland are experiencing contrasting campaigns however the two golf equipment are solely separated by three factors within the Premier League desk. BBC Sport examines some key speaking factors forward of Sunday’s recreation (15:00 GMT).
New yr, similar Spurs?
Tottenham’s begin to 2026 was an amalgamation of their 2025 below head coach Thomas Frank – a 0-0 draw at Brentford represented one other level received on the street and one other recreation the place they created only a few probabilities.
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The end result means Spurs have the very best away file within the prime flight on the midway stage – with 18 factors amassed from 10 video games – however it was one more match the place they had been toothless in assault for nearly your complete 90 minutes.
The efficiency was greeted with what can greatest be described as gallows humour from the travelling Spurs contingent, who punctuated the dearth of motion with songs about fan favourites Dele Alli, Eric Dier and even former supervisor Martin Jol. In addition they chanted “Boring, boring Tottenham” and jeered present boss Frank as he approached them on the full-time whistle.
“It is not good… we wish us to be free-flowing,” stated Frank in his pre-match press convention on Friday. “We have to do the whole lot we are able to to place in an attacking, intense, front-footed efficiency towards Sunderland.”
Black Cats might change Tottenham’s fortunes
Tottenham’s house kind in 2025 was their worst on file and 11 league defeats in entrance of their very own followers is essentially the most they’ve ever suffered in a single calendar yr.
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Nevertheless, the Lilywhites have an enviable file relating to this fixture. They’re unbeaten of their earlier 14 top-flight conferences with Sunderland since a 3-1 loss on the Stadium of Gentle in April 2010 and have received 14 of their 16 Premier League house matches towards the north-east membership (D1, L1).
One other victory this weekend might spark Tottenham’s season into life and would go some option to repairing the obvious rift between head coach and followers.
[BBC]
Residence and away
Sunderland have misplaced simply two of their previous 12 Premier League video games and head to north London following a spirited efficiency within the 0-0 house draw with title-chasing Manchester Metropolis.
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The Black Cats stay considered one of solely two sides nonetheless unbeaten at house within the Premier League this season and so they have taken factors from the entire league’s prime three sides on the Stadium of Gentle. They’ve additionally saved seven top-flight clear sheets this season – with 4 coming at house – which is one fewer than the mixed ultimate complete of the three promoted groups final time period.
The problem now for head coach Regis Le Bris is to duplicate his aspect’s house kind on the street.
The goalless draw at Brighton of their earlier away outing prolonged the membership’s winless away run to 4 matches (D2, L2) and was the most recent instance of Sunderland’s ineffective away assault.
They’ve now failed to attain in six of their 9 Premier League away video games and have amassed simply 4 objectives from the opposite three matches, a complete solely equalled by backside aspect Wolves.
[BBC]