Tottenham vs Sunderland Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Premier League 2025-26

Spurs are 12th in the points table with 26 points.

All eyes are on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a fascinating Sunday clash. Thomas Frank’s inconsistent Spurs host a surprisingly high-flying Sunderland side.

Many pundits predicted a relegation scrap for the Black Cats following their dramatic playoff promotion. However, Regis Le Bris has defied expectations. He has guided his team to seventh place, firmly in the mix for European qualification. Tottenham are currently stuck in the middle of the table. They desperately require three points to restart their stalling campaign and close the gap on the top six.

Tactical battles across the pitch promise entertainment. This is particularly true in midfield, where former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka now runs the show for Sunderland. His confrontation with Tottenham’s creative sparks could define the tempo of the afternoon.

Spurs possess plenty of firepower through Richarlison and Kudus. However, their shaky defence often wastes their good work up front. Sunderland, on the other hand, look solid at the back. They have conceded significantly fewer goals than their hosts. This statistic frustrates opponents who struggle to break down their disciplined shape.

Wilson Isidor provides the visitors with a potent outlet on the counter-attack. He will force Tottenham’s high defensive line to remain vigilant throughout the ninety minutes. A victory for the North Londoners would restore faith among the home fans. However, Sunderland arrive with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

If the visitors snatch a result here, they cement their status as the season’s true dark horses. At the same time, they will increase the pressure on a Tottenham squad searching for identity.

Kick-off:

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
• Kick-off Time: 8:30 p.m. IST / 3:00 p.m. GMT
• Referee: Stuart Attwell
• VAR: Officials are using VAR

Form:

• Tottenham Hotspur: D-W-L-L-W
• Sunderland: D-D-D-W-L

Players to watch out for:

Tottenham Hotspur: Mohammed Kudus

The Ghanaian midfielder has injected unpredictable flair into Thomas Frank’s attack since arriving from West Ham last summer. His direct dribbling breaks deep defensive blocks. Tottenham have desperately needed this trait this campaign.

Kudus on fire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/m4sXoRDglz

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 7, 2025

Current 2025-26 data highlights his influence. He leads the squad with two goals and six Premier League assists across 17 appearances. He has also chipped in with two goals in all competitions. This makes Kudus the team’s primary creative engine.

Sunderland: Wilson Isidor

The former Zenit forward offers a precise counter-attacking threat. This makes Regis Le Bris’ tactical setup very dangerous against high-pressing sides. Isidor stretches opposition backlines with his sensational pace. He often isolates defenders in wide areas before drifting central. His finishing has proved vital for the Black Cats’ impressive top-half push. The striker has netted four Premier League goals in 17 starts. He is the club’s most productive offensive asset this season.

Match Facts:

• Granit Xhaka steps back onto North London turf with a point to prove. This adds a fiery narrative to the midfield contest. The former Arsenal captain currently drives Sunderland’s creativity. He has fashioned seven big chances this season. This is more than any other player in Regis Le Bris’ squad. His duel with Spurs’ midfield promises sparks.
• Sunderland’s travel to the white half of North London have yielded little joy over the past two decades. The Black Cats have not secured a Premier League victory on Tottenham’s turf since August 2008. On that day, goals from Kieran Richardson and Djibril Cissé stunned the hosts. This 18-year drought weighs heavily on the visitors. They must get past the mental block of their terrible record here to claim all three points this Sunday.
• Regis Le Bris has drilled his side into a defensive unit that refuses to crumble. Sunderland hold the best defensive record in the final 15 minutes of matches this season. They have conceded just twice in that critical window. Tottenham are famous for switching off in the final minutes under pressure. They will find it incredibly difficult to snatch a dramatic winner if the scoreline remains level heading into stoppage time.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland Betting Tips and Odds:

• Tottenham Hotspur to Win: 8/11 (Betfair)
• Under 2.5 goals: 6/5 (William Hill)
• Mohammed Kudus to Score or Assist: 7/4 (Bet365)

Injuries and Team News:

Tottenham Hotspur:

Frank faces a significant selection headache. Several key personnel remain unavailable for selection in the incredibly busy Tottenham treatment room.

The injury report confirms that a serious cruciate ligament injury will sideline James Maddison for a substantial portion of the season. This rules him out until early May. Furthermore, the attacking department has suffered a double blow. A knee injury sidelines Dejan Kulusevski, while an ankle problem keeps Dominic Solanke out. Both will be missing until late January.

To make matters worse, a strain injury sidelines Destiny Udogie. It will keep him out until mid-January. A suspension also makes Xavi Simons unavailable for this fixture. Lucas Bergvall’s participation remains in the balance. He is fighting to overcome a groin injury and remains doubtful.

The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations further depletes the Tottenham ranks. Key midfielders like Mali’s Yves Bissouma and Senegal’s Pape Matar Sarr are representing their nations in the Round of 16. This adds to Frank’s midfield woes.

Sunderland:

Sunderland arrive in North London with far fewer injury concerns. The main worry for the visitors centres on their defence. Ajibola Alese is nursing a shoulder injury. He should return in early January, but this game may come too soon.

Daniel Ballard also remains a major doubt. He is attempting to shake off an ankle injury in time for the match.

Also Read: Fulham vs Liverpool Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Head-To-Head stats:

• Total matches: 106
• Tottenham Hotspur wins: 43
• Sunderland wins: 34
• Draws: 29

Predicted Starting Lineups:

Tottenham (4-3-3):

G. Vicario; P. Porro, C. Romero, M. van de Ven, D. Spence; R. Bentancur, J. Palhinha, A. Gray; M. Kudus, Richarlison, W. Odobert

Sunderland (4-2-3-1):

R. Roefs; T. Hume, N. Mukiele, O. Alderete, D. Cirkin; G. Xhaka, L. Geertruida; E. Mayenda, E. le Fee, S. Adingra; B. Brobbey

Match Prediction:

Tottenham Hotspur should scrape a narrow victory in this encounter. The passionate home crowd often inspires their depleted squad to win even when things look tough. Thomas Frank’s remaining attackers possess just enough spark to breach the Black Cats’ backline once. This should settle a tense, tactical affair.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Sunderland

Telecast Details:

• India: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network
• UK: Sky Sports and TNT Sports
• US: NBC Sports
• Nigeria: SuperSport

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