English Premier
2012-04-07 - Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 7 April 2012 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Sunderland
Sunderland really stuck a spanner in the works for Manchester City last weekend as they became the first team to come away from the Etihad Stadium with a point this season, although it could have been even more if they had held on to their 1-3 lead with 5 minutes of play left. It was a real impressive bounce back effort from the disappointing FA Cup defeat against Everton just days before and shows that Martin O'Neill is not going to let his side cruise down the stretch this season.
While they will not be winning silverware, the Black Cats will want to finish as high up the table as is possible. They are currently 9th in the table, so the top half finish is within their grasp, and the chance to end as high as 7th is possible. Sunderland are 7-4-4 at the Stadium of Light this season, scoring 24 goals and only conceding 14.
The team have won just 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions, although that 3-3 draw with City was an impressive result. They had won 3 games in a row in all competitions at home before the 0-2 loss to Everton in the 6th Round replay and their home form in the League is impressive as Sunderland have won 5 of their last 6 games here.
John O'Shea is a doubt for this game, while Wes Brown and Titus Bramble are both absent. Lee Cattermole should be passed fit, but Kieran Richardson and Frazier Campbell are both requiring late fitness tests.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur seemed to have turned a corner after really beginning to struggle in the League and they will be confident that can finish in the Champions League places as long as they can keep their squad as healthy as they are right now. With an FA Cup Semi Final to look forward to as well, Spurs could enjoy one of their most successful seasons in years.
They moved level on points with Arsenal on 58 last weekend thanks to a 3-1 win over Swansea at home, and that leaves them 5 points clear of Chelsea and Newcastle United, although the latter could close the gap on Friday when they travel to Swansea. Spurs have a 6-4-5 away record, scoring 22 goals and conceding 21.
Back to back wins over Swansea and Bolton Wanderers have at least brought the confidence back into the squad and they are now unbeaten in 4 games since losing 3 consecutive Premier League games. Spurs have won just 1 of their last 8 away games in all competitions, although none of their last 5 in which they have lost 2 and drawn the others all 0-0. The team have struggled for away goals, scoring just 2 in their last 5 away games in all competitions.
There are no new injury worries for Harry Redknapp since the win over Swansea and they could play the same XI that started that win.
Head to Head
Tottenham Hotspur beat Sunderland 1-0 at White Hart Lane earlier this season.
Sunderland had been unbeaten in 5 games at the Stadium of Light against Spurs, winning 3 of those games, but they were beaten here 1-2 last season.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur have been struggling in recent games away from White Hart Lane and it is difficult for me to see them at such a low price, but I am not convinced that Sunderland can take advantage of them considering the amount of effort they put in when they played Manchester City.
Sunderland were impressive at the Etihad Stadium last week, taking advantage of the space that was afforded to them for much of the first half. They have been very strong at home in recent games in the Premier League, but they have a number of injuries in the squad that could give Spurs a big chance to win the game.
Spurs have a very good first eleven and if they can keep them fit, I think they will get back to the form they displayed for much of the season. The pace that Aaron Lennon gives them on the right wing gives the team much more of a balance with Gareth Bale running the other wing and I expect that will create chances for the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael Van der Vaart.
The last two games here have seen at least 3 goals scored between the teams, and I think there is a chance that this could be another one. I expect both sides will get on the board and I think both teams will push for a winner- I don't know which one of them will get that goal, but either way I will take the Overs in this one.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
