Tottenham Hotspur will host a struggling Sunderland side on Sunday as they look to put their loss in the opening Champions League fixture behind them. Spurs were on a high leading up to the match against Monaco with a record 85,000 spectators thronging Wembley to watch them in Europe. But the match against Sunderland will give them a chance to erase memories of the 1-2 reverse. On paper they seem the certain favourites but Sunderland will look to make them work hard for their objectives, which will be a win. Moyes seems to be slowly settling in and the squad is taking a more than normal time to gel. Although they still look short on quality, Moyes still hopes to make them a solid and compact unit who will be difficult to break down.
We take a glance at the 3 key battles expected to pan out at the White Hart Lane on Sunday-
HARRY KANE VS LAMINE KONE
Harry Kane has not been as consistent as he was expected to be since the start of this season and he will look to get his rhythm back as soon as possible. With a match against struggling Sunderland next on the agenda, it provides the perfect opportunity for him to get a few goals under his belt. But the likes of Kone will try to make sure that this is not the case and will try to stifle the young forward for room and look to push him wide, from where he loses most of his potency.
JERMAINE DEFOE VS TOBY ALDERWEIRELD
The Premier League veteran will be the man most likely to be tasked with providing the goals for the Black Cats and the ever reliable Defoe will certainly be up for the task.
But he will have to deal the combined presence of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld and especially Alderweireld who has started from where he left last season. It will be an interesting match-up between the two and the defender will know letting Defoe run behind the defence will almost be akin to a goal.
JAN KIRCHHOFF VS MOUSA DEMBELE
Mousa Dembele is eligible to play after serving his suspension and will look to revitalize the likes of Kane and Alli who thrive when playing alongside the Belgian. Spurs will be on the offensive throughout the match and Dembele brings the requisite amount of control and flair from midfield and has the ability to run with the ball from central areas. Jan Kirchhoff is coming back from an injury but will having quite a bit on his plate at White Hart Lane and has to tap his potential to stop the Spurs midfield from overrunning them.
