Poyet’s vibrant Sunderland to topple tottering Tottenham
Sunderland have scored against Arsenal, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs at the Stadium of Light this season but they can do more than that against Spurs: they can win at 10/3.
Gus Poyet’s side matched an in-form Chelsea for long periods of their game on Wednesday and could easily have claimed a point had Phil Bardsley not inexplicably tapped into his own net with 10 minutes left.
That was one of four own goals they have conceded this season – twice as many as any other side.
But Poyet has got his team playing with more discipline and they were unlucky to bump into an inspired Eden Hazard during the week.
Bet on Sunderland to win at 10/3
Sunderland have won three of their last four home matches in all competitions and their win against Man City last month was a good example of their resilience and stubbornness at home.
The Black Cats may be bottom of the league but they haven’t struggled for goals, scoring nine in seven games at home.
That is more than half of the 20 teams in the Premier League and Steven Fletcher will be looking forward to the visit of Tottenham.
The Scot may only have two league goals this season – the same as Phil Bardsley (at the right end) – but he has three in his last five league games against Spurs.
He is 7/1 to score first, as well as 2/1 to score at anytime.
Bet on Steven Fletcher to score first at 7/1
Visitors Tottenham have the lowest shot conversion rate (7%) and that explains their lack of goals this season, both home and away.
The Lilywhites’ last four goals have all been scored from outside of the area and Sunderland’s former Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone should have been practicing his shot-stopping of long-distance efforts.
Spurs gained a valuable win at Fulham on Wednesday thanks to a late Lewis Holtby strike but they had to come from behind in that match.
That was the first time this season that Andre Villas-Boas’ side have come back from a losing position to take all three points.
Contrastingly, Sunderland have lost eight points from winning positions this season, more than any other team in the Premier League.
The home team to lead at half-time and fail to win is 12/1, a bet which would have landed twice in their 14 league games.
However Sunderland have more backbone of late and – with the crowd behind them – will be a different test to Fulham.
Bet on Sunderland to lead at half-time but fail to win at 12/1
Poyet played 82 games for Tottenham and was also assistant coach to Juande Ramos at White Hart Lane so the Uruguayan will be especially keen to get one over on his former side.
As a player he never lost to Spurs, winning six and drawing one of the seven games he played for Chelsea.
Sunderland’s centreback pairing of former Man Utd players John O’Shea and Wes Brown also have fond memories of playing against Villas-Boas’ side.
Brown has won all seven games when he has played at home against Spurs, whilst O’Shea scored his first Sunderland goal in this corresponding fixture last season.
The Irishman grabbed his first goal of this season against Chelsea on Wednesday and is 12/1 to add a second just three days later.
Recommended bets
Sunderland to beat Spurs at 10/3
Steven Fletcher to score first at 7/1
