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It's back! Tottenham Hotspur takes the pitch for the first time in two weeks and the first time since the close of the transfer window today. Their opponent is Sunderland, currently bottom of the table with two points in four matches. Which is, to be fair, only one point less than Spurs have in the same time period.
Tottenham have a shiny new Korean winger/forward, a rejuvenated squad, and a lot of anticipation. They also desperately need a win against a Sunderland side that is, quite frankly, pretty awful. The irony is that, for the most part, Spurs haven't played all that badly this season, but have been let down by their finishing, some sparing moments of bad luck and some bad luck.
Meanwhile the #narrative focus will be on Jermain Defoe and Younes Kaboul, both former Hotspurs that fell out of favor and both likely itching to get one over on their old club.
Three points in four matches isn't the best way to start out a season in which your club is hoping to qualify for the Champions League, but an away win against a club expected to be in the mix for relegation would be a good way to assuage any concerns over Spurs' lugubrious opening.
COYS!
Lineups
#THFC team: Lloris (c), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason; Chadli, Alli, Son; Kane #COYS https://t.co/pC6fL7kCAS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 13, 2015
#THFC subs: Vorm, Rose, Trippier, Carroll, Lamela, Townsend, Winks #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 13, 2015
#SAFC team to face @SpursOfficial: Pantilimon, Jones, PVA, Borini, Gomez, Kaboul, O'Shea, Lens, Defoe, Toivonen, M'Vila.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 13, 2015
#SAFC Subs: Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Graham, Coates, Mannone, Watmore.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 13, 2015
How to Watch
Date/time: Sunday, September 13, 1:30 p.m. (UK), 8:30 a.m. ET (USA)
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, UK
Official: Craig Pawson
TV: NBCSN (USA), NBC UNIVERSO (USA - Spanish), Sky Sports 1 (UK), Sportsnet World (Canada), Fox Sports 1 (Australia), other listings at livesoccertv.com
Streaming: NBCS Live Extra (USA), Sky Go (UK),
Radio: Audio streamed at tottenhamhotspur.com, also BBC Radio London and TalkSport
Match thread rules:
The match thread rules are the same as always. To any visitors coming here for the first time, welcome! We're glad you're here! Wipe your feet, mind the gap, and be sure to check out the other pages at this outstanding site. While you're here, though, we have a few rules and regulations.
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- Have fun, and COYS!