Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland: Match Preview, Projected Lineups & Predictions

Tottenham Hotspur is off to a...slow start this season. Another draw in their last game against Everton has left Tottenham with just three points through four games, leaving them in 17th place. Spurs are hampered by injury, as midfielders Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele look to recover from injury. Spurs may be boosted by their late window signings though, as Heung-Min Son and Clinton N'Jie may both make their club debuts. The test will be on for a Tottenham attack that has sputtered to score in recent games.

Spurs travel to Northeast England to take on Sunderland, sitting 19th in the league with just two points so far. The Black Cats have been felled by their defense, allowing a second worst 10 goals in the league. Sunderland's attack will be led by former Spur Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher at striker, while Yann M'Vila and Jack Rodwell are the main players in Sunderland's midfield. The test will be on Dick Advocaat's men, as their slow start has Sunderland desperate to get out from the relegation places.

Can Spurs finally break their run of draws against a poor Sunderland side? We shall see.

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

Projected Lineup

There could very well be a buzz when Tottenham releases its starting lineup, as new arrival Heung-Min Son looks to make his club debut and first start for Spurs. Son looks likely to slot in on the wing, filling in for the injured Mousa Dembele. Otherwise, we expect Ryan Mason to stay at attacking midfield in place of Christian Eriksen.

Prediction League

As for the Prediction League, only Bryan A.  foresaw Spurs drawing Everton. The rules remain the same in the Prediction League -- one point for a correct prediction and a bonus point for getting the score correct. Here are the current standings:

Michael Caley: Spurs 2-1. It seems inevitable that Defoe will score for Sunderland in his continuing insane role as a wide forward. But this Spurs club is very much due a match where we score our chances at a normal rate. This should be it.

Bryan A.: I tried to think of the worst thing that could happen to Spurs and it's this: Draw away to Sunderland, Draw at home to Qarabag, Lose to Crystal Palace, Lose to Arsenal, and Lose to City. That sounds absolutely awful, right? Let's make it happen. 1-1 Draw.

GN_Punk: Sunderland's defense is an absolute tire fire. If we cannot take advantage of them having the walking corpse of Younes Kaboul at center back, then I don't know what to tell you. Sunderland are bad. We are good. Kane gets on the board in league play after a good international break for him. I'll say Chadli scores and Son gets his first PL goal as well. Spurs 3-0

Mechanick: I keep thinking our momentum is going to change. I will pray to the Son that we can finally get our first win. 1-0 Spurs

Ed F.: 2-2 Draw. I can't.

Skipjack: We have been foresaken by a cruel and unforgiving football god. 2-2 Draw.

Dustin Menno: Spurs are better than what their record indicates, and Sunderand's defense is absolutely awful. There's no reason on earth that Spurs can't put two or three goals on this club. Throw Sonny in the mix and this is the week Tottenham finally puts it together. 2-0 Spurs.

Brett Rainbow: Spurs have been the better side in every match they've played this year. This is the week the scoreline reflect that. 3-0 Spurs.

Ben Daniels: Sunderland are the worst team in the league, while Spurs are only one of the worst. But it won't be close when Sonny goes HAM. 3-0 Spurs.

Kevin McCauley: TBD

55thVin: We are a good team. We have to win sooner or later, right? Son is going to start and the team is going to benefit. I think he'll get two really good chances in this game because Sunderland will, like every team in the Premier League, focus on Harry Kane. My head says he takes one chance; my heart says he scores both and hits a blinder, like a Haley's Comet type of regularity strike, to complete the hat trick. 3-0 Spurs

Earl of Shoop: This is the week it all comes together, Spurs fans. This is the week Daniel Levy activates secret agent 00N17 Younes Kaboul, who heads in an own goal to open the scoring. This is the week Harry Kane gets back in top #buzzing form with two goals. And this is the week that Sunderland sadly begin (continue) their inevitable march towards a new manager (or three) and relegation. Spurs, 3-0.

Luke Zimmermann: Spurs will never win again. Permanent winter. Games before 9:30 a.m. ET should be abolished, too. Sunderland causes a rash of terrible, lazy Spurs jokes and the Tottenham Twitter inexplicably gets even more soul crushing, 1-1 Draw.

Salmon Chase: TBD

Matthew Pachniuk: It's my first prediction league post. I'm pretty excited. Spurs were inspiring against Everton but couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. That happens, no need to hit the big red panic button just yet. Also, Sunderland kinda suck...like let three goals in against Exeter City kind of suck. Tottenham desperately need this one. Son starts and everything will right as rain come Monday. 3-0 Spurs.