Sunderland have had a torrid start to their season and their manager David Moyes is under a considerable amount of pressure. The former Manchester United boss was snapped up by the Wearside club this summer following the departure of Sam Allardyce who took over the England job. The Scot had plenty to prove after his failed spells with Manchester United and Real Sociedad but things haven’t been going at all for him. After four game weeks, Sunderland are yet to register their first win in the Premier League and could salvage just one point so far.
Sunderland are second from bottom and above Stoke City in the table but are level on points with the Potters. The Black Cats have drawn just one game this season which was a 1-1 stalemate against Southampton and lost to Manchester City, Boro and Everton. They will travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday to face Spurs who are sitting fifth on the table with eight points from four games.
Spurs had an average start to their season but looked at their best against Stoke City last weekend as they thrashed the Potters 4-0. However, a 1-2 loss against Monaco in the Champions League opener will concern Mauricio Pochettino.
Here is the predicted Sunderland lineup against Spurs.
Defence
Vito Mannone is a long-term absentee and young Jordan Pickford is likely to continue under the bar in the Italian’s absence. Javier Manquillo is expected to continue in the right-back position with an unchanged centre-back pairing of Papy Djilobodji and Lamine Kone. Bombarding left-back Patrick van Aanholt will start in the left-back position.
Midfield
Jan Kirchhoff coming back from a long-term injury was a major boost to Sunderland even though his comeback was not enough to save Sunderland from the 3-0 thrashing against Everton. The German is likely to continue in defensive midfield with Jack Rodwell alongside him.
Duncan Watmore is likely to ply his trade as a number ten. Wahbi Khazri is an alternative to the Belgian but Moyes seems to not rate the Tunisian international and that is why we expect him on the bench. Adnan Januzaj and Lynden Gooch are likely to start on the flanks.
Attack
Jermain Defoe, despite his age, is the key player for Sunderland and provides a regular goal threat up front. The 33-year-old has found the net twice this season and will be looking to add more to his tally against his former club.
