Tottenham vs Sunderland: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane

Jermain Defoe poses in his new Sunderland shirt today (twitter.com/SunderlandAFC)

Jermaine Defoe could be in line to make his Sunderland debut as the Black Cats travel to face his former employers, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham.

Gus Poyet’s side are without a win in four Premier League matches and are hoping the addition of 32-year-old Defoe can boost their chances of survival this season. The former England international arrives at a team who have only scored seven goals in their last eleven league games and, just a point above the relegation zone, are beginning to look over their shoulders.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino rested key names in their midweek FA Cup win over Burnley so both Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane – who has scored six from six in the Premier League – will be fully fit. Just two points behind rivals Arsenal, Spurs face three eminently winnable fixtures in the build-up to a crucial North London derby on February 1.

But for now, they must focus on improving their less-than-remarkable home record, having only picked up 17 points at home from a possible 33 this season.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Sunderland 2 (Johnson, Kane OG) Tottenham 2 (Chadli, Eriksen), Premier League, September 2014

Tottenham 5 (Adebayor 2, Kane, Eriksen, Sigurdsson) Sunderland 1 (Cattermole), Premier League, April 2014

Sunderland 1 (Johnson) Tottenham 2 (Paulinho, O’Shea OG), Premier League, December 2013

STATS…

Sunderland have not beaten Spurs in nine attempts and not won at White Hart Lane since August 2008

The Black Cats’ derby win over Newcastle was their only victory in 11 Premier League matches

Gus Poyet’s team have also received the most yellow cards this season (58)

ODDS…

Tottenham to win: 1.62

Sunderland to win: 6

Draw: 4.2

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm.