Tottenham Hotspur Vs Sunderland Betting – Saturday 7th November

Tottenham Hotspur V Sunderland

Saturday 7^th November – 15:00 GMT

Tottenham Hotspur

League Position: 5^th

Recent League Form: WDWLL

Ledley King let on this week that the Tottenham camp was left demoralised after their weekend at local rivals, Arsenal. Tottenham were playing very well until a bizarre and unusual minute which seen Arsenal score two goals within the space of the minute, just before Half-Time. King felt he, amongst others in the Tottenham team that day, were playing well up till that point in the game and that Spurs were well and truly in the game after matching Arsenal stride for stride in the opening 30 minutes or so. Arsenal then went on to win relatively comfortably and that will be a big cause for concern for Spurs gaffer, Harry Redknapp.

Tottenham were competing with Arsenal toe-for-toe in that clash at The Emirates but their lack of concentration straight after Arsenal opener led to not only a quick-fire Arsenal second strike but also to Tottenham’s demise as they failed to recover mentally after that setback. Football is all about the high & lows and what defines a team is often how they handle the lows, something Tottenham didn’t take too at all well on Saturday. Going 2-0 down just before Half-Time did, of course, make their job one hundred times harder but, nevertheless, their was still a game to be played and points to be won but the Tottenham players never seemed to get going in the second period and it did appear that Harry Redknapp’s motivational speech at Half-Time just wasn’t that motivational.

If that’s a sign of things to come from Tottenham then their chances of breaking into the top four don’t look too promising. Teams go behind all the time but if you can’t find that second wind and fight back the deficits then you won’t stand a chance in this day and age. However, they have fought back on two occasions this season after going a goal behind and, although the game with Arsenal has past them by, they can produce their own comeback by beating Sunderland at White Hart Lane this Saturday and return to winning ways after two straight defeats in the league.

It’s now two defeats in two for Tottenham after losing at home to Stoke two weeks ago. Spurs did previously smash Burnley 5-0 at home beforehand so the defeat to Stoke City did come as a big shock but the must overcome that and register another smashing result at home to Sunderland, arguably the leagues biggest improver’s this season. An interesting statistic is that Spurs have failed to score in their last two league outings. That’s interesting because Jermaine Defoe was absent in both after suspension but he will make his return to the fold for Saturday’s clash with Sunderland and for Tottenham fans, that couldn’t of come any sooner. The England forward has already bagged six league goals this season and he’ll be eager to not only bolster his goalscoring tally for the season but also make amends for his rash red card three league games ago away at Portsmouth.

Sunderland

League Position: 8^th

Recent League Form: WDWLD

In a recent interview with the club website, Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, expressed his delight at his sides impressive start to the season but highlighted his pessimistic nature by telling the fans to keep their feet firmly on the ground as there is still a long way to go in the season. We couldn’t of put it any better ourselves – a terrific start to the campaign but, at the end of the day, we mustn’t forget that we’re talking about Sunderland, a team that were lucky to avoid the drop last season and, although they have strengthened a considerable amount over the summer, we’ve yet to make our minds up on how good a side Sunderland can potential be this season.

If early results are anything to go by then it will be a very good season. If their early performances are anything to go by then Sunderland fans are in for a rip-roaring good time. However, if Sunderland’s shoddy away form and lethargic performances are anything to go by then Black Cat followers may have to settle for mid-table mediocrity, oh dear, I’m sure Middlesborough & Newcastle fans alike hearts will bleed at the sound of that.

As Sunderland are the only side from the bitter, cold North still standing, it’s down to them to make the northern part of England proud, and they’re certainly doing that. Eleven games into the season and Sunderland are five points better off then they were last season, and quite a few league positions better off, also. However, just like last season, Sunderland are struggling to put together some decent away form and results. The Black Cats have already suffered three away defeats this season from five away outings, losing Stoke, Burnley & Birmingham. Now, don’t get me wrong but all three were not only games Sunderland should of at least taken a point out of but also games they could of won. Food for thought it would seem for the high-flying, yet poor travelling Sunderland fans.

Head-to-Head:

Tottenham Hotspur W: 5 Sunderland W: 3 Draws: 2

Tottenham have been pretty dominant in past meetings at White Hart Lane but Sunderland did stop the rot last season when they beat Tottenham 1-2 on Spurs soil. That was Sunderland first and only win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane since the turn of the millennium. Before last years success, Sunderland had previously lost on their last six visits to Tottenham Hotspur, but they did have a knack of scoring in most. Sunderland’s only failure to score at White Hart Lane in the league came two seasons ago when Spurs won 2-0 back in the 2007/2008 league campaign.

Banking on their being goals in this game could be a logical punt as they do tend to be lively encounters whenever these two meet at White Hart Lane. In six meetings between the pair in Spurs territory, just one has finished Under 2.5 Goals.

Match Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur to WIN – 1.57 Bet365

This has the makings of a thrilling affair as two attack minded sides do battle at White Hart Lane. We give the edge just to Tottenham, mainly via home advanatge, but we do expect Sunderland to push Tottenham all the way. However, with the fans behind them, we see Spurs exposing Sunderland’s defensive gaps as the Black Cats can leave their back four stranded when they do go forward in numbers. Both sides have quality up front while neither boast a particularly strong back line, so it should be an entertaining game for the neutrals. However, from a betting perspective, Tottenham should have too much for Sunderland’s defence too handle, especially as Harry Redknapp welcomes Jermaine Defoe back into the fray.

Match Odds:

Tottenham Hotspur – 1.57 Bet365

Draw – 3.85 Expekt.com

Sunderland – 7.00 Expekt.com

 Update: The result of Tottenham v Sunderland was 2-0 (goals by Keane, Huddlestone)