Premier League preview: Tottenham vs Sunderland

Tottenham will be hoping to beat Sunderland to retain the chances of outstripping bitter rivals Arsenal and reaching the top four finish.

Should Arsenal fail to secure a win over Newcastle, then the Spurs’ victory over the Black Cats will earn them the Champions League qualification. With Sunderland retaining the top-flight status, they have nothing to play for, but Tottenham paid a high price for lapses in concentration against the weaker sides several times, slipping to eyebrow-raising defeats against Wigan and Fulham.

Gareth Bale will be certainly at the centre of attention, as the PFA Player of Year can seal the game on his own. And yet Tottenham showed they are no one-man team, as they have beaten stubborn Stoke side without the goals from Welsh wizard for the first time since New Year.
Wigan’s 4-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal allowed Sunderland avoiding relegation and yet Di Canio will do his utmost to ensure his side does not play half-heartedly against the Spurs.

Tottenham team news:

Left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto returned to full training following his injury and is expected to take part in the game against Sunderland.

Gallas (calf), Sandro (knee) and Kaboul (thigh) remain on team’s long-term injury list and will definitely miss the game.

Sunderland team news:

Danny Rose is ineligible due to being cup-tied, with Jack Colback set to replace him in the midfield.

Forward Sessegnon is available after serving his three-match suspension, while Gardner has been banned for two games.

Connor Wickham has returned to full fitness after recovering from a calf injury.