We've highlighted the key dangers and weaknesses for Tottenham Hotspur as they travel to Sunderland next weekend.
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The Premier League returns from the international break next weekend, with Sunderland hosting struggling Tottenham Hotspur a week on Sunday.
Regis Le Bris’ men will be eager to get back in action after a memorable 2-1 comeback win over arch-rivals Newcastle United last time out - a result that leaves them 11th in the table and just five points off the top six. Up next is a Spurs side struggling desperately in 17th place, just a point above the relegation battle. Roberto De Zerbi is the new Lilywhites boss and will take charge for the first time at the Stadium of Light.
So, ahead of the league clash let’s take a look at the key Spurs dangermen that Sunderland need to watch, and the key North London weaknesses that could be exploited on Wearside.
Tottenham Hotspur dangerman: Richarlison
Spurs have been wretched defensively this season, which we’ll get to in a moment. However, there is hope for them in that they’ve outscored everyone around them, notching the highest number of goals (40) of any side in the bottom seven right now - and eight more than Sunderland (32).
While the goals have been spread about, Richarlison has been their clear main threat. The Brazilian has nine Premier League goals to his name so far this campaign, leaving him at least five clear of any other Spurs player, while his record extends to 10 across all competitions thanks to a Champions League strike against PSG.
Richarlison can be tough to watch sometimes, but you will never get less than 100% from him. The former Everton man will continue to get under the skin of centre-backs and make intelligent runs to pull the opposition out of shape, while four of his nine Premier League goals this term have come in the final 30 minutes of matches, underlining the fact he never quite knows when he or Spurs are done.
Sunderland are sixth in the Premier League when it comes to overall cards this season, but they must keep their discipline against Richarlison, who has the footballing and mental skillset to create a far more even playing field for Spurs.
Mohammed Kudus will also be one to watch as next weekend approaches. The Ghanaian is due back from injury soon and could make the squad at the Stadium of Light, and he has three assists for Richarlison so far this season - making them the second-most effective duo in the Premier League in this regard, only behind Casemiro to Bruno Fernandes (WhoScored).
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Tottenham Hotspur most likely route to goal: Set pieces
Richarlison’s doggedness aside, set-pieces have been Tottenham Hotspur’s best route to goal this season. The Lilywhites are third only to Arsenal (19) and Manchester United (15) for set-piece goals this season (14), sitting ninth for open-play goals (23) by comparison.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise to see first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven joint-second on their goal charts with four each. The latter has been especially effective from free-kicks and corners, with all four of his goals so far in 2025/26 coming via these routes, while Archie Gray and Richarlison have two each.
Sunderland are 11th in the Premier League for set-piece goals conceded on 10. However, that accounts for 27.78% of their total goals conceded, showing a soft underbelly in this department for Le Bris’ side.
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Tottenham Hotspur key weakness: Mistakes
No side has made more errors leading to shots than Tottenham in the Premier League this season (27). What’s more, Spurs have two players among the division’s only nine to make more than three errors leading to shots, with Djed Spence on four and Pedro Porro on five. Meanwhile, the North Londoners are second for both yellow cards (75) and red cards (4), with Romero the biggest culprit here on eight yellows (3rd-most) and two reds - making him the only player so far to be sent off more than once.
In short, from fundamental possession errors around their own box to losses of discipline when the game gets tough, Spurs have been guilty of making huge mistakes at key moments in matches. These rash streaks and losses of concentration have cost them dearly time and again this season, and are a key reason why they’re languishing in the relegation battle.
In the likes of Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey, Sunderland have the perfect weapons to exploit this particular weakness, perhaps drawing a red card out of Spurs - just as Richarlison will try to do for the visitors - and giving them an uphill battle.
And while Sunderland’s excellent season so far has been built on a solid defensive unit, Le Bris may see an opportunity here to send mobile forwards like Chemsdine Talbi and Enzo Le Fee hunting for possession high up the pitch - the latter winning possession in the final third a team-high 14 times this season.