11th Feb 2011 | Football
Sunderland v Tottenham Betting
Sunderland are having a good season but just lost two in a row. Spurs are tough to beat but are missing key players. The draw looks like a likely outcome at the Stadium of Light.
The Saturday evening kick-off in the Premier League sees a clash between two sides full of European aspirations. Steve Bruce may claim that his sights are set no higher than a top ten finish for Sunderland but having sat in the top seven for so long the fans will be dearly hoping for Europa Cup football next season. Spurs are fifth, but anything other than a repeat appearance in the Champions League in 2011-12 will be somewhat disappointing.
Indeed, it’s the prestige of Europe’s elite competition and Spurs’ participation in the knockout phase for the first time on Tuesday that may harm their hopes of claiming maximum points on Wearside. It’s not that Harry Redknapp will allow his boys to be distracted by the bigger game ahead, more that their very best players won’t even be risked with AC Milan in mind. Both top goalscorers Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart won’t play on Saturday, but could feature in midweek.
Spurs are likely to lack some cutting edge. Even with their star men they’ve hit the target considerably less (35 goals) than all the teams above them in the league - Arsenal have 54 and Man Utd 55 goals. They also have a poor record at the Stadium of Light having last won there in 2001.
But before Sunderland fans get too giddy it’s worth pointing out that Spurs have still only lost one league game in three months. The Black Cats have suffered two recent setbacks of their own having been outclassed by Chelsea and then beaten in the 93rd minute by Stoke last time out. But Steve Bruce has a resolute side who have beaten Man City at home and drawn to Arsenal and Man Utd.
With all this in mind a point apiece looks like a good bet here. The draw is a 23/10 shot with Boylesports.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 15:57 11th Feb, 2011 but subject to change
