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Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur January 31st, 2017 - English Premier League Betting Preview

Last-place Sunderland will likely climb out of the English Premier League’s relegation zone with a win at home at the Stadium of Light this Tuesday, January 31st. However, the problem is they’re going to have to beat Tottenham Hotspur to earn the three points. Sunderland enters the match after losing away 2-0 to West Bromwich Albion in league action on January 21st. Meanwhile, Tottenham was in action on Saturday when they just edged past fourth-tier Wycombe Wanderers 4-3 in a thriller in the fourth round of the FA Cup at home.

Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur – Pinnacle Soccer Betting Line:

  • Pinnacle currently lists Tottenham as the favorites to win the game at -254 with Sunderland +812 and a draw at +418

PinnacleSports 728x90 - Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur January 31st, 2017 - English Premier League Betting Preview

Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur United – Head to Head:

These two teams last met in September in league action Spurs winning 1-0 at home. It was their fourth straight win over Sunderland. Tottenham is unbeaten in the past 13 meetings with 10 wins and three draws. Sunderland’s last win was 3-1 at home in the Premier League in April of 2010. The two clubs have met 117 times in the past with Spurs winning 50 losing 37 and drawing the other 30.

Sunderland – A Closer Look:

Sunderland’s in a sorry state this season with manager David Moyes in charge. They enter the match in dead last place in the Premier League with just 15 points out of a possible 66. They have four wins, three draws and 15 defeats with 20 goals for and 42 against. Sunderland recently signed free agent defender Joleon Lescott to help out the woeful defense. The signing may help them get out of the relegation in the short term, but the club still has a long way to go to even be considered mediocre.

But on the flip side, the team is arguably weaker now since Dutch defender Patrick van Aanholt was sold to Crystal Palace for 14 million pounds. The Black Cats have managed three wins, two draws and six defeats at home in league action this season with 14 goals scored and 20 allowed. They also have two wins, a draw and seven losses in their past 10 league matches with eight goals for and 21 against.

Moyes has lots of personnel problems to deal with as defender Papy Djilobodji has just been handed a four-game suspension after being charged with violent conduct. In addition, the injury list includes forwards Victor Anichebe and Duncan Watmore along with goaltender Jordan Pickford and defender Jan Kirchhoff. Midfielders Lynden Gooch, Paddy McNair and Lee Cattermole are also out of action.

Tottenham Hotspur – A Closer Look:

Spurs fought back from a 2-0-deficit against League Two side Wycombe on Saturday with four goals in the last half hour. However, they won the game just before the final whistle of injury time on a fortunate deflection. Tottenham enters the 23rd round of Premier League play on an eight-game unbeaten streak which consisted of six straight wins until drawing 2-2 at Manchester City in their last league game.

Tottenham has 46 points on 13 victories, seven draws and just two losses. They’ve scored 45 times this season and conceded just 16 against. They’re still sitting in third place, nine points back of league-leading Chelsea and only one behind London neighbors Arsenal. Spurs are also one in front of fourth-place Liverpool, two on top of fifth-place Manchester City and five points up of sixth-place Manchester United. Tottenham now has 11 wins in their past 22 contests in all competitions along with six draws and five losses.

They’ve won 10 of their past 12 matches in all competitions. Tottenham has four wins, five draws and two losses away from home this season in the league with 20 goals for and 11 against. On the injury front, it looks like forward Erik Lamela and defenders Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are doubtful while striker Harry Kane should be ready to play. In addition, Tom Carroll was sold to Swansea for 4.5 million pounds in the transfer window.

Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur – Takeaway:

Sunderland’s still close enough to 17th place to climb out of the relegation zone, but they need points on a consistent basis to stay out of it. That’s doubtful with Moyes in charge. Spurs can’t afford anything but a win here if they have any realistic shot at first place.

by Ian S. Palmer

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