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Sunderland will host Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, with the away side desperate for a win after dropping into the relegation zone.

Regis Le Bris’s men have enjoyed an impressive season after securing promotion to the Premier League, and finishing in the top half would be an outstanding achievement for them. Sunderland will fancy their chances vs a struggling Tottenham team, and it remains to be seen whether the players can step up and produce a strong performance here.

On the other hand, Tottenham are coming into this game on the back of five defeats from their last six Premier League matches. The North London outfit are 18th in the league table, and no one would have expected them to be in the relegation zone in the middle of April.

However, Spurs have brought in a new manager in Roberto De Zerbi after sacking Igor Tudor, and they will be desperate to bounce back strongly. It remains to be seen whether they can pick up a win and get out of the bottom three.

Team News & Tactics

Sunderland

Simon Moore (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Bertrand Traore (knee), and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) are ruled out for the home side. Daniel Ballard and Nilson Angulo are doubtful. However, there is some good news, as Robin Roefs is fit and available to take on Tottenham Hotspur.

Sunderland will start in a 4-3-3 formation vs Tottenham Hotspur, with Robin Roefs in goal. Lutsharel Geertruida and Arthur Masuaku will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Nordi Mukiele will start alongside Omar Alderete at the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Chris Rigg will add creativity and control alongside Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki in the middle of the park. They will aim to hold the fort in the central areas, hoping to keep Tottenham quiet.

Enzo Le Fee and Chemsdine Talbi will start on the flanks and aim to add pace, flair, and goals from the wide areas. Finally, Wilson Isidor will spearhead the Sunderland attack vs Tottenham on Sunday.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Roefs; Geertruida, Alderete, Mukiele, Masuaku; Sadiki, Xhaka, Rigg; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee

Tottenham Hotspur

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are unavailable due to their long-term knee injuries. Ben Davies, Yves Bissouma, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, and Rodrigo Bentancur are also ruled out. Guglielmo Vicario misses out with a groin injury. Meanwhile, Mathys Tel and Pape Matar Sarr will be assessed closer to kick-off.

Tottenham Hotspur will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Sunderland, with Antonin Kinsky in goal. Pedro Porro and Djed Spence will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out defensively and contribute in the final third as well. Meanwhile, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will start in central defence.

As for the midfield unit, Conor Gallagher will add defensive cover and physicality alongside Joao Palhinha. They will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Xavi Simons will reprise the attacking midfield role, looking to link the midfield to the attack.

Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani will add pace, flair, and unpredictability from the flanks. Finally, Dominic Solanke will lead the line for Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Gallagher; Kolo Muani, Simons, Richarlison; Solanke

Key Stats

Tottenham have conceded at least two goals in ten of their last 11 matches in the Premier League.

Tottenham have failed to win a single league match in the last six matches.

Sunderland have picked up two wins from the last six Premier League matches.

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six matches against Sunderland.

Only Leeds (35.1%) have scored a higher proportion of their Premier League goals this season from non-penalty set-plays than Tottenham Hotspur (35.0% – 14/40), while only Wolves (11%) and Brentford (16.7%) have seen a lower share of their goals conceded come from non-penalty set-pieces than Spurs (18.0% – 9/50).

Player to Watch

Granit Xhaka

Embed from Getty Images

The Sunderland midfielder is our key player to watch out for. Xhaka has been excellent for the Black Cats in the Premier League this season, and he will look to create opportunities for his teammates with his impressive passing range. The veteran midfielder will also look to control the game from the middle of the park.

Tottenham have been quite mediocre in the middle of the park, and the Swiss international could get the opportunity to stamp his authority on the game. Sunderland will depend on his quality and leadership skills to guide them to an important result here.

Prediction

Sunderland 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Both teams will look to pick up all three points here, and this is likely to be a cracking contest. On paper, Tottenham are the better team, but they are struggling with a lack of confidence and form right now.

Sunderland managed to pick up a win in their last Premier League game against Newcastle United, and the win in the Derby will have given them a huge confidence boost. The Black Cats will now look to finish the season strongly and put up a strong performance here. Both teams are likely to cancel each other out in a draw.

Tottenham are keeping close tabs on Arthur Vermeeren’s profile in a bid to approach over a summer move if they survive relegation.

Arthur Vermeeren is the latest midfielder to be linked with Tottenham ahead of the summer. As per Sports Boom, Roberto De Zerbi’s side will approach the Belgian star should they avoid relegation, as the Italian coach is eager to reshape their midfield setup.

Tottenham have begun making plans for a big summer window despite their status as a top-flight side being unclear. Spurs are in the thick of a Premier League relegation battle, having taken the decision to install Roberto De Zerbi as their manager in a last-ditch attempt to prevent them from going down into the Championship.

Should they survive the relegation ordeal, Spurs are expecting a busy summer, with De Zerbi likely to prioritise a reshape of his midfield setup. The likes of Pape Matar Sarr are linked with Fenerbahce, while Yves Bissouma is set to leave on a free transfer, as the Italian manager eyes a few names to strengthen the area.

Belgian international Arthur Vermeeren is the latest on their list of targets, with the midfielder spending the current campaign with Marseille on loan from Atletico Madrid. He has been impressing in France, and while the Ligue 1 giants have a buy option in place, the report does state that if Spurs want to sign him, they may have to spend £25 million.

Given the trajectory of his career — barring his time at Atletico Madrid — the midfielder has been very impressive with his displays. Whether De Zerbi thinks he is the right fit for this Tottenham side is a question only he can answer, although Spurs are currently linked and may try to approach him if they can stay up.

Tottenham’s midfield targets explored

Based on multiple reports of late, Spurs are steadily being linked to a host of midfield names, including Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara. De Zerbi is likely to assess the squad in the coming weeks before deciding on the kind of player he seeks to take this club forward.

Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing 15-year-old German wonderkid Niko Ilicevic from Eintracht Frankfurt.

According to a report by German outlet BILD, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Niko Ilicevic. The three Premier League clubs are keen on reinforcing their youth ranks by signing a promising attacking midfielder. They have regularly dispatched scouts to monitor the 15-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt prodigy’s progress in age-group football in recent years.

Who is Niko Ilicevic?

Niko Ilicevic is the latest promising prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. Born in Germany, the 15-year-old has spent his formative years in the country of his birth, starting his youth career at VfR Goldbach before rising through the ranks at Eintracht Frankfurt in the last few years.

The teenage prospect has already broken into the Bundesliga club’s under-19 team, and he has a decent haul of four goals and two assists in 17 appearances thus far for the side. Meanwhile, the German youth international’s exploits in age-group football in Germany have piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Will Ilicevic move to England soon?

Chelsea’s interest in the Eintracht Frankfurt wonderkid is hardly surprising. The Blues regularly scour the market for the brightest young prospects, even if they have a stacked squad. That has enabled the West London club to sign several world-class prodigies, with Estevao Willian the latest wonderkid to make his mark for the senior side.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s interest in Niko Ilicevic is understandable. The Magpies have adopted a youth-driven approach to recruitment since the PIF took over from Mike Ashley. A few have even impressed for the senior side, with Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley, and Valentino Livramento becoming regulars for Newcastle United.

As for Tottenham Hotspur, the Lilywhites have also focused on signing young prospects who can become long-term assets in a few years. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have already established a foothold since joining Tottenham, and recent reports have linked the North London club with other prodigies, including Tom Atcheson.

However, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are not alone in the battle for Ilicevic’s signature, as Real Madrid and AC Milan have scouted the 15-year-old German prodigy in age-group football for Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, a summer move may not be straightforward, as the Bundesliga outfit will hope to promote the teenage sensation to the first-team squad next season. With Ilicevic poised to secure a clear pathway to senior-level football at Eintracht Frankfurt, it makes no sense to leave anytime soon.

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford may be open to joining Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window even if they suffer relegation from the Premier League.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites are eager to bolster their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper ahead of the 2026/27 season amid Guglielmo Vicario’s links with Inter Milan.

The latest report has boosted Tottenham’s prospects, as “there is a belief that Trafford would be open to the move even if Spurs are relegated to the Championship” at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Trafford’s “desire to be the undisputed first choice” will be the driving force behind his decision.

What has led to James Trafford’s frustrations?

James Trafford rejoined Manchester City from Burnley in a deal worth £27 million last summer after establishing himself as one of the world’s best young goalkeepers in an excellent 2024/25 campaign with Burnley. The 23-year-old played a leading role in an exemplary campaign for the Clarets, keeping the most clean sheets in that season. That compelled Manchester City to re-sign the youngster.

However, Trafford has fallen in the pecking order after Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day of the summer transfer window. The English goalkeeper has managed only 1,260 minutes of game time in 14 appearances thus far for Manchester City. So, a summer exit may be on the cards for him, with Tottenham Hotspur among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

Move across the Premier League on the cards?

Tottenham Hotspur wanted to sign James Trafford in the winter transfer window, but a deal did not materialise. The continued interest is understandable, as Guglielmo Vicario faces an uncertain future at the North London club amid widespread reports linking him with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Italian shot-stopper is a target for Inter Milan, with the Nerazzurri working on the deal to sign him in the coming months. So, Tottenham must plan for life after Vicario, as Antonin Kinsky has failed to make his mark during his spell at the North London club.

Badmouth defender Marcos Senesi has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old central defender will be out of contract in the summer, and multiple clubs are interested in securing his signature. According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have held talks to sign the South American.

Liverpool need more quality and depth in the defensive unit. Ibrahima Konate will be out of contract in the summer and has not yet signed an extension with the club. Joe Gomez has also been linked with an exit. He has struggled for regular opportunities at Liverpool, and he could look to move on in the summer.

Senesi could be an excellent option for them. He is well settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact.

Marcos Senesi Premier League 2025/26 Stats

Tackles per game: 1.7

Interceptions per game: 1.6

Balls recovered per game: 4.1

Clearances per game: 7.3

Pass accuracy: 77%

Duels won per game: 5.1

Chelsea and Spurs want to sign Senesi

On the other hand, Chelsea need more depth in the defensive unit as well. Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile do not have a future at the London club, and Chelsea needs to bring in an upgrade. Signing the 28-year-old Argentine defender could be ideal for them. The player has consistently shown his ability in the Premier League, and the opportunity to join one of the country’s biggest clubs will be quite exciting for him.

As far as Tottenham is concerned, they need more quality and depth in the defensive unit after a disappointing season. They have been quite poor at the back, and players like Cristian Romero have been linked with the move away. Senesi has the quality to help them improve. It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can convince the player to join the club.

Given his contract situation, he will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Signing a player of his quality and experience for free would be a masterstroke for any club.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on acquiring the services of River Plate attacking sensation Ian Subiabre this summer.

Ian Subiabre’s sensational rise at River Plate hasn’t gone unnoticed. Multiple top clubs from across Europe have taken note, and according to a report from El Intransigente, Tottenham are already plotting a raid on the South American club as they look to sign him ahead of next season.

Subiabre has come up the ranks at some pace. He got promoted to River Plate’s first team at the start of 2024 and hasn’t looked back since. The 19-year-old winger already has 35 first-team appearances and has even contributed towards six goals.

While he prefers playing on the right flank, he is equally comfortable on either flank. The teenager loves to take on defenders, and he certainly has an eye for goal. More importantly, he has shown maturity beyond his age, and his potential suggests he could be the next big thing.

Eduardo Coudet’s arrival at River Plate has been a massive boost for the youngster, as he has been getting more minutes under the 51-year-old. A number of clubs from across Europe are keeping tabs on the teenager, but Tottenham seem to be the most serious suitors at this stage.

Tottenham learn asking price for Subiabre

The North London club have been working on building a team for the long run, and they consider Subiabre a perfect fit for their project. However, securing his services won’t be easy as River Plate have already slapped a massive asking price of €100 million, which is also his release clause.

Having secured significant funds from Franco Mastantuono’s move to Real Madrid (€45 million) and Enzo Fernandez’s switch to Chelsea from Benfica via a sell-on clause, River Plate are now determined to avoid premature departures.

They are well aware of Subiabre’s massive potential and will only negotiate his departure this summer on their terms. Given the massive price tag, it will be interesting to see if Spurs will make a move. A potential transfer could create history in Argentine football and could have global repercussions.

Tottenham and Aston Villa are keen to explore a move for Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, who carries a €30 million price tag.

According to Sport Witness, Tarik Muharemovic is a player of particular interest to two Premier League teams. Tottenham and Aston Villa are currently looking at the Sassuolo star, with a €30 million price tag being mentioned for him to leave the Serie A side.

Defenders are set to be high on the agendas of most clubs ahead of the summer window. A left-footer is more likely to be seen as a premium profile in the current market, as there are many teams in the Premier League looking for a centre-back of that type.

Tottenham and Aston Villa are being mentioned heavily in a report linking them to Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic. The centre-back came to prominence recently after helping Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for the FIFA World Cup after beating Italy, which has helped garner interest from multiple top teams.

Sassuolo will not stand in his way if he seeks an exit, as a number of Serie A giants are also in the mix. Juventus have a sell-on clause that allows them to buy him for less than his current asking rate. Sassuolo are reportedly demanding €30 million from suitors, and are hoping a bidding war would allow them to command such a price, which would also mean a huge profit on their €5 million investment in the defender.

Tarik Muharemovic to the Premier League?

Tottenham are keen, as they could face problems ahead of the summer with Micky van de Ven linked to a host of teams. They could view the Bosnian centre-back as the replacement for the Dutchman, with the €30 million price tag well within their range.

Luka Vuskovic is currently on loan at Bundesliga club Hamburger SV, and he has been linked with a permanent summer exit from Tottenham Hotspur.

Luka Vuskovic is one of the best young players in Europe, and he has been linked with several high-profile clubs. However, the teenage prospect has now reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur and revealed he has a long-term contract with them. His recent comments about his future will be a huge boost for the North London club, and they will hope to keep him at the club for as long as possible.

He said to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, “After this season, I’ll be a Tottenham player again. I have a contract there until 2030.”

The Croatian defender has all the attributes to develop into a future star. Tottenham must hold onto players of his quality if they are looking to build a formidable squad for the future.

The 18-year-old has not only impressed with his defensive quality at Hamburg, but also shown he can score important goals (5 in the league). In addition, he is quite impressive on the ball and can drive the team forward with his distribution from the back.

Vuskovic is an elite talent

Vuskovic could develop into a complete defender for Tottenham. It is no surprise that elite clubs are monitoring his progress, and it will not be surprising if they decide to test the resolve of the struggling Premier League club with an offer in the summer.

The Lilywhites are already in crisis, and Cristian Romero has been linked with a summer move away from Tottenham. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is an ambitious player looking to join an elite club where he can win major trophies. If he decides to move on, Tottenham will need to replace him properly.

Luka Vuskovic in Bundesliga: 2025/26 stats

Duels won per game: 7.1

Interceptions per game: 1.2

Ball recovered per game: 4.2

Dribbled past per game: 0.2

Clearances per game: 9.1

The Croatian wonderkid could fill the void left by the club captain. Even though he is quite young, Vuskovic has shown he can step up to the challenge and compete at a higher level. Regular football in the Premier League next season could be vital to his development as well. Even though he has been linked with top clubs, continuing at Tottenham for a few seasons could be ideal for his development.

Atalanta are set to place €45 million asking price on Marcos Palestra amid growing Premier League interest.

According to Caught Offside, Marco Palestra will cost at least €45 million as Atalanta are anticipating heavy interest in the summer. Many of the top Italian sides are keen, although it is the Premier League that is seen as the more likely destination, with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle United all keen.

Marco Palestra has made a huge impact while on loan at Cagliari this season, as parent club Atalanta anticipates big interest coming their way in the summer. The defender, who plays predominantly as a right-back, can also slot in as a wing-back in different systems, making him all the more valuable.

Atalanta had a €35 million offer from Inter Milan turned down in January due to complications with the loan agreement. However, as things stand, Atalanta are not prepared to accept an offer of that size, and instead want at least €45 million, as there is a rise in Premier League teams keen on the 21-year-old Italian wide man.

Liverpool are keen as they could dip into the Italian market for another defender after signing young Giovanni Leoni last summer. The interest in Palestra is particularly intriguing, signalling they are somewhat dissatisfied with the available options of Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley in the right-back slot.

The €45 million price tag is seen as a significant investment opportunity on the 21-year-old Italian wide man, who could lock down the position for years to come. Liverpool are not alone, as Newcastle United are also keen, while Tottenham are also mentioned as a suitor.

Marco Palestra to the Premier League?

Palestra is also of interest to Tottenham, although any move will depend on their top-flight status. Should they stay afloat, Spurs are planning on revamping their backline and will make a move for Palestra if the conditions are right.

Newcastle United are also keen, as they could angle a move for a new right-back, especially amid speculation surrounding Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier. However, Liverpool are reportedly seen as the front runners in this chase, as Palestra could be headed to the Premier League next season.

Author John Wenham has urged Tottenham to keep Archie Gray at the club irrespective of their status next season, amid interest from Liverpool.

Tottenham are in a state of disarray following their form this season, which has brought them closer to the relegation zone than ever. Their most recent league game ended in a terrible home loss against Nottingham Forest, as Spurs are without a win in their last 13 Premier League games.

The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi has sparked some confidence within the fan base and certainly among the squad, with hope that they can stay up. However, should they go down at the end of the campaign, there is a strong chance that Spurs might have to sell some of their first-team players, including young talents like Archie Gray.

Tottenham could be forced to sell Gray if they were relegated and if suitors make an important offer. There are plenty of eyes on the 20-year-old sensation ahead of the summer, with Premier League clubs, Spanish sides, and those from the Bundesliga all keen to pounce on an opportunity should Spurs make him available.

Gray himself is reportedly committed to Spurs, and given that he has a long-term contract, the player is not considering an exit irrespective of what happens in the near future. However, should the pressure mount on Spurs, there is always room for a conversation of that sort, especially now that clubs like Liverpool are reportedly showing an interest.

Author of Tottenham Hotspur News, John Wenham, has now commented on the Gray situation, insisting that his talent should force Spurs to only consider offers north of £70 million. He stated that the club should not even consider selling Gray irrespective of their survival in the top flight, amid interest from Liverpool.

“Since joining the club, he has made 78 appearances and featured in both a Europa League final and Super Cup final.

“He has played for Spurs as a CM, DM, CAM, RB, CB, LB, LM and RM. He only turned 20 last month.

Spurs paid £40m for him, and he is likely to be the club’s Player and Young Player of the Year as well as the Supporters’ and Players’ player.

“Spurs should be looking to build the side around Archie rather than entertain any offers to sell, but I estimate a starting price point would be north of £70m.”

Gray has been growing in stature since his move from Leeds United in 2024. At Spurs, he has showcased the ability to play in a variety of positions, as Wenham alluded to in his comments, which does make him a valuable commodity for Tottenham.

His versatility and future promise make him an attractive addition for many clubs, including Liverpool, who have been looking to bolster their midfield for a few years now. It remains to be seen whether the Reds are considering making an offer, although Spurs may have to heed Wenham’s advice and do their utmost to keep hold of Gray for the long-term future.