TheHardTackle.com

Aston Villa will host Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on Sunday, eager to return to winning ways and boost their UEFA Champions League qualification.

Aston Villa have picked up four wins from their last six matches vs Tottenham Hotspur, and they will be confident of getting a positive result here, considering the away side’s struggles. However, the Villans have picked up just two wins from their last six Premier League games, and they need to raise their performance level here.

On the other hand, Tottenham are in poor form as well. They have picked up just one win from their last six Premier League matches, which, fortunately for them, came last weekend. Spurs are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and they will be desperate for all three points. It remains to be seen whether they can produce a strong performance and grind out a vital away victory.

A defeat here could be devastating for the North London club. It remains to be seen who comes out on top here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Aston Villa

Boubacar Kamara misses out due to a long-term knee injury, and Amadou Onana is also sidelined with a knock. Meanwhile, Alysson has yet to regain fitness, and he remains on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

Aston Villa will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Tottenham Hotspur, with Emiliano Martinez in goal. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back. Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa will start alongside Pau Torres in the central defensive partnership.

As for the midfield unit, Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz will provide defensive cover and control from the deep. Morgan Rogers will be deployed in the attacking midfield role, looking to link the midfield to the attack.

Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn will start on the flanks. They will look to create goalscoring opportunities and add unpredictability in the final third. Finally, Ollie Watkins will lead the line for Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Torres, Konsa, Digne; Luiz, Tielemans; Buendia, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins

Tottenham Hotspur

Xavi Simons, Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski are unavailable due to their long-term knee injuries. Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, and Wilson Odobert have also been in the treatment room for a while. Guglielmo Vicario misses out with a groin injury. Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie are on the sidelines with shoulder and muscle injuries. Dominic Solanke picked up a thigh injury recently and misses out.

Tottenham Hotspur will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Aston Villa, 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, Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven will start at the heart of the 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. Archie Gray will add control and creativity alongside them.

Richarlison and Lucas Bergvall will add flair and creativity from the flanks. Finally, Randal Kolo Muani will lead the line for Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa on Sunday evening.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Spence; Gray, Palhinha, Gallagher; Bergvall, Kolo Muani, Richarlison

Key Stats

Aston Villa have won their last four matches against Tottenham Hotspur across all competitions. Meanwhile, 20 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams

Tottenham are without a win in five of their last six Premier League matches. However, they ended a 15-game winless run against Wolves last time out (1-0) and could record successive victories in the Premier League for the first time since their opening two matches of this season against Burnley (3-0) and Manchester City (2-0).

On the other hand, Aston Villa are without a win in four of their last six Premier League matches.

Richarlison is averaging 0.72 goal involvements per 90 this season (9 goals, 4 assists in 1,615 minutes), his third-best rate in a Premier League campaign behind 2023/24 and 2024/25 (both 0.9 per 90).

Under Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs are averaging more pressed sequences per game (12.7) and possession won in the final third per game (5.3) than they were under Thomas Frank (11.1 and 3.7) and Igor Tudor (10.8 and 3.8) in the Premier League this season..

Player to Watch

Morgan Rogers

Embed from Getty Images

The Aston Villa playmaker is our key player to watch out for. Rogers has created multiple opportunities for his teammates in recent weeks, and he can find the back of the net consistently as well. He could cause all sorts of problems for Tottenham with his creativity and goalscoring ability.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can keep him quiet here. Aston Villa will certainly hope that Rogers can make a defining impact in the final third and help them pick up all three points in an important game.

Prediction

Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Both teams will be desperate for a victory here for very different reasons. Although Tottenham bounced back with a late win against Wolves in the last game, this is a completely different proposition. Aston Villa are a better team, and they will look to put up a fight here.

The Villans have lost their last two matches in all competitions, and they will be desperate to bounce back strongly. The players will be motivated, and the home fans will demand a reaction. Tottenham are likely to put up a fight here as well, and both teams are set to get on the score sheet.

However, Aston Villa have more quality in the final third, and they should be able to grind out a victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Unai Emery and his charges.

Everton will reportedly look to re-sign 28-year-old Brazilian international Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.

Richarlison has emerged as Tottenham’s standout performer this season with nine goals and four assists in the Premier League, yet uncertainty surrounds his future at the club.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are keen on bolstering their offensive unit by signing a versatile attacker in the upcoming transfer window, and they are ready to re-sign the 28-year-old forward.

The latest update has also revealed the player’s stance on returning to the Merseyside club, as the opportunity to rejoin them is a “dream” scenario for him. A deal is highly likely, and the possibility of a reunion will increase if Tottenham encounters financial or competitive difficulties in the transfer market.

Richarlison Transfer to Tottenham: The story so far

Richarlison has experienced mixed fortunes since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Everton in a deal worth £60 million in July 2022. The 28-year-old was among the best attackers in the Premier League when he moved to the North London club. However, he struggled with consistency and injury setbacks for much of his Tottenham spell, though he has shown marked improvement under Thomas Frank in recent months.

The Brazilian attacker is Tottenham’s top scorer in the Premier League this season, having accumulated nine goals and four assists in the top flight, making him a rare bright spot for the North London club. This resurgence demonstrates his quality, yet the player faces an uncertain future at the club ahead of the summer, with Everton ready to explore a move to re-sign him in the coming months.

Merseyside homecoming soon?

Everton wanted to re-sign Richarlison last summer, but a deal did not materialise. The continued interest makes sense, as the Toffees are scouring the market for a top-class attacker. With Beto and Thierno Barry delivering inconsistent performances this season, David Moyes can certainly benefit from adding another proven striker to his ranks.

Additionally, the Tottenham attacker can be a solid option for the wide attacking positions, providing competition to options like Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye. The 28-year-old re-emerged as a target for Everton a few months ago, with the Merseyside club exploring a possible summer move after briefly considering a January approach.

With Tottenham navigating a challenging season, a significant squad overhaul may occur this summer. Losing their top scorer would represent a significant blow, yet Everton will hope to capitalise on Richarlison’s desire to return to Merseyside and complete a reunion with the club where he established himself as a Premier League talent.

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on signing 27-year-old French international Youssouf Fofana from AC Milan in the summer transfer window, with both Premier League clubs already submitting formal offers.

According to a report by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are in active pursuit of Youssouf Fofana. The two Premier League clubs are keen on reinforcing their midfield units with a versatile operator in the coming months. Both clubs have already contacted the 27-year-old’s representatives with concrete offers for a summer move.

A summer exit appears feasible, as AC Milan will entertain offers for the Frenchman during the upcoming transfer window. The report indicates the Rossoneri will demand approximately €25 million to part ways with Fofana, who previously rejected advances from Turkish clubs during the winter window.

How has Youssouf Fofana fared at AC Milan?

Youssouf Fofana has made steady progress since joining AC Milan from AS Monaco in August 2024 for €25 million. While the 27-year-old has established himself as a regular presence in the middle of the park for the Rossoneri, his consistency has wavered over the past season, a notable departure from the form he displayed in Ligue 1.

The French midfielder has made nearly 100 appearances for AC Milan to date, registering 3 goals and 13 assists. While these goal contributions represent a respectable tally for a defensive midfielder, questions persist regarding his ball-winning efficiency and positioning consistency at times. Nevertheless, Fofana remains an attractive prospect, as both Aston Villa and Newcastle United have identified him as a priority midfield target this summer.

Fofana Transfer to Premier League: Can Villa or Tottenham Sign Him?

Aston Villa’s pursuit of Fofana carries strategic merit. Despite a well-stocked midfield under Unai Emery, the squad faces structural vulnerabilities. Boubacar Kamara continues to battle fitness concerns and is currently sidelined with another lengthy injury. Ross Barkley has encountered similar problems, limiting his availability. Meanwhile, John McGinn is on the wrong side of 30 and faces an uncertain future at the club. This context makes midfield investment essential.

For Tottenham, the turbulent 2025/26 season threatens significant squad turnover. Recent developments have linked Pape Matar Sarr with an exit from the North London club. Yves Bissouma has no future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while Joao Palhinha’s status remains unresolved ahead of his loan arrangement’s expiration.

AC Milan’s €25 million valuation positions Fofana as an attractive acquisition for both suitors, as he remains in his prime years and could provide long-term midfield stability. The critical question now revolves around Fofana’s preference, particularly given his prior rejection of Turkish alternatives in the winter window.

Everton, Leeds United, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on signing 38-cap Japanese international striker Ayase Ueda from Feyenoord in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Everton, Leeds United, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Ayase Ueda. The three Premier League clubs are eager to bolster their offensive units by signing a proven striker ahead of the 2026/27 season. They have extensively scouted the 27-year-old striker and conducted comprehensive background work on him during the 2025/26 campaign.

How has Ayase Ueda fared since his Feyenoord transfer?

Ayase Ueda has finally become a pivotal figure for Feyenoord this season after a difficult adaptation period at the Eredivisie club. Feyenoord paid a club-record fee worth €10 million to sign the Japanese striker in August 2023, but he managed only 12 goals across his first two campaigns. His early struggles raised questions about his ability to perform in European football, but a dramatic turnaround has silenced those doubters.

The 27-year-old has transformed his trajectory this season, accumulating 26 goals and two assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. This represents a striking improvement that has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with a move to the Premier League increasingly likely as Everton, Leeds United, and Tottenham Hotspur position themselves as prospective suitors for his signature.

Premier League switch on the cards?

Everton will prioritise signing a striker in the upcoming transfer window to address inconsistency in their attacking line. While Beto has impressed recently and Thierno Barry arrived with promise, neither has established themselves as the undisputed first-choice striker. With European aspirations driving their ambitions, the Toffees require a prolific, consistent finisher capable of delivering double-digit goal tallies. Ueda’s scoring explosion makes him precisely the profile they are targeting, alongside other candidates including Liam Delap.

Leeds United’s interest in Ayase Ueda aligns strategically with their tactical requirements. While Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, and Noah Okafor have shown flashes of quality, manager Daniel Farke operates a two-striker system that demands reliable productivity from both positions. Ueda’s recent form provides the consistency and goal output Farke needs as a dependable second striker alongside his primary option.

For Tottenham Hotspur, striker recruitment has become urgent. Randal Kolo Muani will not complete a permanent move to the North London club after his loan spell concludes, meaning Antonio Conte must plan for his departure. Additionally, Dominic Solanke’s injury struggles since arriving from Bournemouth have compromised their attacking stability, with another setback this week leaving Spurs dependent on a reinforcement. Ueda offers an alternative to Roberto De Zerbi’s injury-prone frontline.

Beyond the three Premier League heavyweights, Brighton & Hove Albion have also actively scouted the 27-year-old Japanese international this season, intensifying competition for his signature. With multiple elite clubs tracking his availability and Feyenoord unlikely to resist a substantial offer, a Premier League move appears increasingly probable for Ueda as he enters his prime years.

Tottenham retain hopes of signing Maximiliano Araujo in the summer transfer window, though they face stiff competition from Manchester United and Arsenal for the 26-year-old Sporting CP left-back.

Tottenham Hotspur want to sign 26-year-old Uruguayan left-back Maximiliano Araujo from Sporting CP, but they will face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Sport Witness, the North London club remain optimistic about getting the deal done. The South American wide man has been outstanding for the Portuguese outfit, with 10 goal contributions across all competitions. He is not just a reliable defender, but can also help out in the final third.

Araujo possesses the technical attributes required for English football, and he could prove to be an upgrade on Destiny Udogie. Although Tottenham have Souza at their disposal as well, the talented young Brazilian is still adapting to English football, and he needs more support. Adding an experienced left-back to the team in the summer would be ideal. Tottenham have also been linked with Andrew Robertson.

Maximiliano Araujo Liga Portugal 2025/26 Performance Stats

Goals & assists: 7

Pass accuracy: 84%

Crossing accuracy: 24%

Tackles per game: 1.8

Interceptions per game: 1.1

Balls recovered per game: 3.8

Duels won per game: 5.7

Dribble success rate: 46%

Manchester United and Arsenal Competition for Araujo Transfer

Meanwhile, Manchester United are keeping tabs on the 26-year-old defender. They need a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw, and the South American would be an excellent investment. He has demonstrated his quality in the Portuguese league and the UEFA Champions League, with the potential to help Manchester United improve at both ends of the park.

The opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in England will be attractive for Araujo. Manchester United are likely to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, making them a compelling destination for top-tier players.

On the other hand, Arsenal have been linked with the player. The Gunners already face challenges providing game time to developing defenders like Myles Lewis-Skelly. Given their current squad depth at left-back, Arsenal should prioritize strengthening their attacking unit instead. Adding a winger and a striker would be more beneficial for their pursuit of the Premier League title.

Araujo must join a club where he will receive regular first-team football. Joining Manchester United or Tottenham offers the best platform for consistent playing time and development. However, the Red Devils may be better-placed in the chase, as they can offer Champions League football and established infrastructure for his growth as a player.

Tottenham Hotspur prospect Lucas Bergvall reportedly has no interest in leaving the North London club in the summer transfer window amid his links with Aston Villa and Chelsea.

A report by Football Insider has brought bad news for Aston Villa and Chelsea. The two Premier League giants are interested in Tottenham Hotspur midfield sensation Lucas Bergvall amid their search for a young midfielder with high potential. However, the 20-year-old remains committed to the North London club despite competitive challenges this season.

The latest update reveals that the Swede “has no plans to leave Tottenham” in the upcoming transfer window if the club avoids a difficult finish to the campaign. Bergvall is settled at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, meaning a departure may only materialise if unforeseen circumstances force a reassessment of his future.

Bergvall’s meteoric rise since 2024

Lucas Bergvall has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Premier League since joining Tottenham from Djurgardens IF in July 2024. The North London club beat stiff competition to secure his services, reportedly paying his agents well to seal the deal.

Since that summer arrival, the 20-year-old has accumulated regular game time, and he has amassed nearly 1,500 minutes across 31 appearances in all competitions this term, contributing 1 goal and 5 assists. The Swedish midfielder’s consistency in midfield has caught the attention of several high-profile Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa and Chelsea, with both having already tabled offers in January.

Why Bergvall could leave: Aston Villa, Chelsea options

Aston Villa’s pursuit makes strategic sense. While Unai Emery has quality depth in midfield, John McGinn is approaching 32 and both Ross Barkley and Boubacar Kamara have dealt with recurring injuries. The Swedish youngster could develop into a long-term partner for Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans in the West Midlands club’s central areas.

As for Chelsea, the Blues face a different midfield challenge. Recent developments surrounding Enzo Fernandez and his future have created uncertainty, with Real Madrid’s interest complicating their planning. Bergvall’s box-to-box profile would provide tactical balance alongside the defensive-focused Moises Caicedo and the advanced-playing Cole Palmer.

Wolves will host Tottenham at Molineux on Saturday, looking to pick up a win at home and give the fans something to cheer about after their relegation from the Premier League.

Wolves are at the bottom of the table ahead of the game vs Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, and they will go down at the end of the season. The Black Country outfit have nothing to play for except to salvage some pride in the remaining matches this term while worsening the situation and spoiling the party of their opponents.

On the other hand, Tottenham is still fighting for survival. They are 18th in the league table, and they are going through a dreadful run of form. They are without a win in the last six Premier League matches, and they will be desperate to get all three points here.

Wolves have nothing to play for, and they have been quite poor all season. This is a golden opportunity for the London club to turn things around. It remains to be seen whether they can help Roberto De Zerbi pick up his first win as the Tottenham manager.

Team News & Tactics

Wolves

Rob Edwards will be without Enso Gonzalez Medina (knee), Ladislav Krejci (neck), Angel Gomes (ankle), Jose Sa (shoulder) and Sam Johnstone (shoulder). Yerson Mosquera is suspended. Matt Doherty has a niggle.

Wolves are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Dan Bentley in goal. In the back three, Toti Gomes will start alongside Pedro Lima and Santiago Bueno. Jackson Tchatchoua and Hugo Bueno will start as the wing-backs here. They will look to keep things tight at the back and hit Spurs on the break.

Joao Gomes and Andre Trindade will add defensive cover and control from the middle of the park.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Mateus Mane will start as the attacking midfielders here. They will add width, place and flair to the team and help create opportunities for their teammates.

Adam Armstrong will lead the line for Wolves.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Bentley; Toti Gomes, Santiago Bueno, Lima; Tchatchoua, Andre, Joao Gomes, Hugo Bueno; Bellegarde, Mane; Armstrong

Tottenham Hotspur

Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski are unavailable due to their long-term knee injuries. Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, and Wilson Odobert are also ruled out. Guglielmo Vicario misses out with a groin injury.

Tottenham Hotspur will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, 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, Kevin Danso 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 start in 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. Dominic Solanke will lead the line for Tottenham Hotspur.

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

Key Stats

Wolves are without a defeat in the last six matches against Tottenham.

Wolves have failed to win four of the last six Premier League matches.

Tottenham have failed to win the last six Premier League matches.

Both teams have scored in each of the last five meetings between Wolves and Tottenham.

Player to Watch

Xavi Simons

The Netherlands International is our key player to watch. Tottenham will depend on him to create opportunities in the final third and find the back of the net as well. It remains to be seen whether he can step up and produce a strong performance in the final third. Wolves have a poor defensive unit, and they are likely to concede chances. The Netherlands star has the quality to exploit their defensive vulnerability.

Prediction

Wolves 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

It has been a rough few weeks for Tottenham, and they will need to work hard if they want a good result here. Wolves will look to put up a fight, but they are lacking in form and motivation. Both teams are quite poor, and this is likely to be a close contest. However, Tottenham have more quality in their attacking unit and should be able to grind out a narrow victory here.

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.