Sunderland Echo

Noah Sadiki has given his verdict on Sunderland's push for European qualification, and this Sunday's clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Noah Sadiki believes Sunderland still have what it takes to climb higher in the Premier League table and push for Europe, though he’s taking nothing for granted.

The Black Cats return from the international break with a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, with the visitors arriving at the Stadium of Light desperately battling against relegation.

Many predicted that to be Sunderland’s fate before a ball was kicked. However, fuelled by an excellent summer recruitment drive, Regis Le Bris’ men sit 11th in the table following their memorable 2-1 comeback win away at arch-rivals Newcastle United last time out.

Sadiki cautiously optimistic about Sunderland prospects

With seven games to go, Sunderland are still just three points off the top seven and six points adrift of Liverpool in what is now confirmed to be the fifth and final Champions League spot.

Equally, however, a couple of bad results could see them slip quickly into obscurity, with 14th-place Crystal Palace just four points behind, with a game in hand.

So, while Sadiki and his teammates’ ambitions remain high, there is also good reason for everyone on Wearside to keep their feet on the ground for now.

“I think we can achieve way more and climb higher in the table but I’ve said it before. You need to do it game-by-game. You can’t project yourself,” DR Congo international Sadiki told Sunderland’s official website.

“At the start of the season, we started really strong and were in the top four and people were talking about Champions League. Then we fell off a little bit and people were talking about relegation.

“In this league, it’s hard to project yourself because if you lose, you can fall three places. If you win, you can climb three places.”

Sunderland prepare to face unpredictable Spurs

Sunday will be Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham after he replaced Igor Tudor in the dugout.

The Italian has a huge job on his hands, with Spurs winless in their last 13 Premier League matches and taking just five points during that time, in a run that’s left them 17th in the table and just a point above the relegation zone.

But De Zerbi’s arrival could make Spurs more dangerous, with the Lilywhites something of an ‘unknown’ in Sadiki’s eyes.

The midfielder added: “It’s difficult because you don’t know. Maybe he can come and change everything. We are going into the unknown a little bit but the coaches are going to figure it out… it’s not my job!

“It’s just a bad season from them. We all know that Tottenham is a big club in England and those seasons can happen.

“I don’t think anyone could have said at the start of the season that they were going to fight relegation.

“It’s going to be a game where most of the pressure is going to be on them. We are safe and the pressure is away from the team. I think it’s going to be a fun game to watch.”

Chris Sutton has given his verdict on the outcome of this weekend's clash between Sunderland and Spurs.

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Chris Sutton has made his prediction for Sunderland’s huge clash with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

The Black Cats welcome Spurs to the Stadium of Light on Sunday in a clash with implications in multiple areas of the Premier League table. Sunderland are looking to build on their derby win over Newcastle United before the international break and keep their outside European qualification chances alive, while Tottenham are desperately battling against what would be a truly shocking relegation.

Sunderland have the superior league form, too, winning two of their last three matches and losing just one of their last four. By contrast, Spurs have sleepwalked into the relegation battle, going winless in 13 and taking just five points during that time - culminating in a devastating 3-0 loss at home to table rivals Nottingham Forest last time out.

Chris Sutton makes Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction

Predicting how Spurs will approach this game could prove to be very difficult, given it’s their first outing under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. Indeed, Sutton believes there are many question marks surrounding the Italian’s arrival at an extremely vulnerable time for the Lilywhites.

“What is Roberto de Zerbi going to do with Tottenham and how will he set them up?” the former Blackburn Rovers striker mused in his BBC Sport predictions column.

“I've read about when he went in at Brighton and how Lewis Dunk says it took the Seagulls players a while to get up to speed, externalise and adapt to his demands.

“The whole situation is just odd, with De Zerbi securing a five-year contract despite only hanging around for more than two years at one of his previous eight clubs.

“Good luck to him, but this is a difficult place for him to start.”

Predicting a valuable 1-0 win for Sunderland, Sutton continued: “Sunderland's form at the Stadium of Light has dipped a bit since they lost their unbeaten home record against Liverpool in February, but the Black Cats will be buoyant after beating Newcastle last time out.

“If Spurs are going to play the type of football we associate with De Zerbi, they will be open and expansive, and take risks - but will they have the confidence to do that?

“Sunderland are the team that come into this game with belief. They've had a brilliant season and their incentive now must be to stay above Newcastle in the table.”

Sunderland will face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

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Sunderland return to Premier League action this weekend with a home clash against struggling Tottenham Hotspur.

Former Brighton and Hove Albion and Marseille head coach Roberto de Zerbi will be in charge of the visitors for the first time as he looks to guide them away from the relegation zone. As it stands, the North London outfit are sitting just one point and one place above the bottom three and are without a league win since Archie Gray grabbed the only goal in a hard-earned win at Crystal Palace on the final weekend on December. Since then, Spurs’ only wins have come in Champions League ties against Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid - although their run in UEFA’s premier club competition come to an end with a 7-5 aggregate defeat against the latter of that duo last month.

For Sunderland, the aim is to secure qualification for European competition for only the second time in their history and they head into Sunday’s game just three points adrift of the top seven. Regis Le Bris and his players are looking to build on the momentum gained from their historic Tyne-Wear derby win at local rivals Newcastle United as goals from Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey helped Sunderland complete the league double over the Magpies.

With a sell-out crowd on hand at the Stadium of Light once again, the Wearside faithful will hope their side can continue their unexpected push for European competition - but can those not fortunate enough to be in attendance still see the entire 90 minutes live on television?

Where and when does Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur take place?

Sunderland will mark their return to Premier League action when they host Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, April 12. Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm.

What is the latest injury news ahead of Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur?

Sunderland have a number of absentees ahead of the game with Nilson Angulo, Bertrand Traore and Romaine Mundle not expected to return to contention until next month. Jocelin Ta Bi is focusing on returning to full fitness ahead of pre-season - but there could be some positive news for Regis Le Bris as Robin Roefs and Dan Ballard are set to return to contention for Sunday’s game.

New Spurs head coach De Zerbi are set to welcome several players back into their matchday squad ahead of the trip to Wearside with Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Pape Matar Sarr and Mathys Tel are close to a return. However, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is a week away from returning from a groin injury and James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert are not expected to feature this season.

Is Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur being shown live on television?

Yes, Sky Sports have selected the fixture for live broadcast. The game will be shown on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event and the broadcast will start at 1.30pm, half an hour before kick-off at the Stadium of Light.

Tottenham Hotspur could be without up to 10 players for their trip to Sunderland, with Roberto De Zerbi facing a major selection headache

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Tottenham Hotspur could be without as many as 10 players for their upcoming Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with injury concerns continuing to mount ahead of a crucial fixture at both ends of the table.

Spurs, who are currently battling to avoid relegation, have been hit by a series of fitness issues across the pitch. Long-term knee injuries to Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski are expected to keep both out, while James Maddison remains sidelined with a knee injury. Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies and Guglielmo Vicario are all targeting returns this month, but are unlikely to be risked.

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Yves Bissouma and Mathys Tel are also doubts with knocks – though the former was spotted in training recently – further limiting Roberto De Zerbi’s options as he prepares for his first game in charge. There are also fresh concerns over Pape Matar Sarr. The midfielder picked up a shoulder injury while on international duty with Senegal and missed their recent win over Gambia. He has not yet been seen in training since returning to the club, casting doubt over his involvement this weekend.

A clearer picture is expected when De Zerbi speaks to the press for the first time ahead of the game later this week, with updates likely on several key players. For Sunderland, the timing could be significant. Régis Le Bris’ side are pushing for a top-10 finish and harbour outside hopes of a European place, while Spurs arrive on Wearside under pressure and short on numbers. With both teams chasing very different objectives, the availability of De Zerbi’s squad could prove decisive.

Régis Le Bris has some major decisions to make as Sunderland face Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick off).

Much will depend on how much the injury situation at the club has improved, with the Sunderland head coach set to issue an update at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. Here, we take an early look at what the starting XI and bench could look like as Sunderland look to start the final stretch of the campaign with three crucial points...

Sunderland make their long-awaited return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when Spurs visit the Stadium of Light (2pm kick off).

The game has real significance for the Black Cats after their stunning Tyne-Wear derby comeback, and they will be hoping that they can demonstrate their top-ten credentials and further bolster their position in the race for a European spot. The significance for Spurs is obvious, as they seek vital points to move away from the Premier League relegation zone. Roberto De Zerbi takes charge of his first game since replacing Igor Tudor, and having had a full week to work with his new squad on the training pitch.

For both squads, there were green shoots in the last game before the break in terms of personnel with key players returning. Following an extra three weeks of recovery and training, Reinildo, Enzo Le Fee and Nordi Mukiele are all expected to play an increased part for the hosts. For Spurs, Conor Gallagher, Joao Palinha and Lucas Bergvall should all be able to play a significant part after their recovery from injury. Both clubs are still assessing some major doubts for the game, however, and know that they will be missing some key figures. Here’s the latest news as we have it from both camps...

How do Sunderland's crowds compare to their Premier League rivals this season?

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Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light following the international break, fresh from their stunning 2-1 victory away at Newcastle United.

The Black Cats have completed the league double over their fiercest rivals, which was just the latest step in what has been a fantastic return to life back in the top flight. The fact that Sunderland have hit 43 points with seven games to spare and are looking to secure an unexpected European berth, rather than battling relegation, is testament to the brilliant work done by Regis Le Bris and his players.

That has been reflected on the terraces, too, with Sunderland’s average attendance of 46,323 their highest since the 2001/02 campaign and the fourth-highest on record. But how does that compare to their Premier League rivals?

Sunderland average attendance compared to Premier League rivals

Sunderland’s average home attendance this season is ninth in the Premier League, seeing them above the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea and Leeds United due to the superior capacity of the Stadium of Light.

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Unfortunately, the ground is a little smaller than the likes of Newcastle United’s St. James Park and Everton’s brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium, meaning there are plenty of healthier average attendances throughout the English top flight. Nevertheless, Sunderland are drawing one of the best gates in the country and around Europe’s top five leagues, and the atmosphere generated by the supporters has undoubtedly helped the Black Cats at home - where they’ve lost just three of 15 matches in the Premier League this season.

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As usual, Manchester United top the attendance charts, with Old Trafford boasting an average crowd of 73,962 - more than 11,000 ahead of second-place West Ham, who pull 62,454 fans at their unpopular but vast London Stadium.

Alongside West Ham, relegation rivals Tottenham are still averaging 60,939, which is incredibly commendable given they’ve won just two home matches all season in the Premier League. The Lilywhites will visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday, 12th April, as they seek a vital result in their desperate bid for survival.

How does Sunderland's lavish 2025/26 spending compare to their Premier League rivals?

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The 2025/26 Premier League season has entered its final sprint, and for Sunderland, it will be all about trying to finish as high up in the table as possible.

The Black Cats’ memorable 2-1 comeback win away at Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle United just before the international break left them 11th in the table, a point above the Magpies, and just three points adrift of seventh-place Brentford.

Regis Le Bris’ men still have an outside chance of qualifying for Europe, while relegation worries were banished long ago, underlining just how strong of a return to the top-flight it’s been. This strong form has undoubtedly been fuelled by heavy spending over the last two transfer windows, with Sunderland signing the likes of Habib Diarra, Brian Brobbey and Chemsdine Talbi for big fees - to name but a few.

But where does that transfer activity leave them compared to the rest of the Premier League when it comes to net spend?

Sunderland net spend compared to Premier League rivals

Incredibly, only five clubs have a higher net spend than Sunderland over the course of this Premier League season: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Tottenham and Man Utd.

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Tottenham’s level of spending is particularly shocking given they sit 17th and just a point above the relegation zone, 13 points adrift of Sunderland - who they travel to next Sunday. There are no surprises among the rest of the top five, however, given that they occupy the top three spots in the Premier League, with Liverpool also fifth.

Chelsea are the biggest surprise at the other end of the spending table, with their €4.90m net spend the lowest negative amount in the Premier League. The big-money sales of Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Lesley Ugochukwu (among others) undoubtedly had an influence here.

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Brentford, Brighton, Wolves and Bournemouth are the only sides to have made a profit this season, each selling multiple key players across the course of the last two windows. Sunderland’s net spend could have been even higher, were it not for their sales of Jobe Bellingham and Tom Watson for a combined €42.5m, according to Transfermarkt.

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.

Sunderland face Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light on April 12th.

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If ever a team has needed a new manager bounce, it’s this current iteration of Tottenham Hotspur.

The North London outfit find themselves in the kind of genuine peril that few would have assumed possible at the start of the season, and after Igor Tudor’s catastrophic 44-day tenure was brought to a premature and merciful conclusion over the weekend, they now find themselves just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Teetering precariously on the brink of the void, Spurs have moved swiftly to replace Tudor, and it was confirmed on Monday that their next unfortunate victim - sorry, head coach appointment - is ex-Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian’s first game in a seven-fixture run to stave off disaster comes against Sunderland a week on Sunday.

Now, evidently, as far as Tottenham were concerned, something had to change. Tudor wasn’t so much sleepwalking into calamity as he was sprinting headfirst towards it with a lit stick of dynamite in each hand. But the question now is whether De Zerbi is really the right man to salvage his new club’s Premier League status. Is he a firefighter, or have Spurs unwittingly hired another pyromaniac?

Well, if past comments from Lewis Dunk, who played under the 46-year-old at Brighton, are anything to go by, things could yet get worse before they get better. Reflecting on De Zerbi’s arrival on the south coast during an interview in 2023, the towering centre-back said: “If I am being honest, the first couple of weeks were horrendous…

“I wouldn’t say horrendous, they were baffling. The first meeting when he went in, I was so confused – who to look at, what to listen to, and you slowly pick up. Basically don’t listen to the manager, wait for the translator to speak and you get there in the end.

“Training changed dramatically. We worked on a lot of different stuff and the first couple of weeks were a really hard transition. We were fourth in the league when Graham [Potter] left and we were flying with him and it was a strange time for him to go and then Roberto came in and it was a carnage two weeks.”

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Granted, this time around De Zerbi should have no such translation issues, but Dunk’s comments on his wholesale changes and the disruptive effects they had don’t exactly bode well for a Tottenham side who need instant results. There is no safety net here, no preseason to acclimatise. This is high wire stuff and the consequences of a misstep could be dire.

From a Sunderland perspective, however, any lingering disarray would be very welcome indeed. The Black Cats must have been licking their proverbial lips at the prospect of playing a Tudor side with five defeats in seven to their name, but perhaps the only thing more enticing is facing a team who are still recovering from the Croatian’s brief regime, helmed by a head coach who supposedly deals in his own signature brand of chaos.