Sunderland vs Tottenham Premier League preview, team news and predicted lineups

Relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur travel to Sunderland on Sunday as Roberto De Zerbi takes charge of his first game as Spurs boss.

We enter April, the fourth month of the calendar year, and Tottenham Hotspur are still winless in the Premier League since the turn of the year. That run, of course, includes the recently concluded two-week international break and for Spurs, it has brought yet another managerial change.

After managing just 1 draw in 5 matches and losing the other four, the club decided to mutually part ways with interim boss Igor Tudor barely a month into his tenure.

There were not many low-risk options available who could realistically steer Spurs clear of relegation, which makes the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi a bold but understandable call. Given the circumstances, sitting 17th and just one point above the drop, Tottenham could not afford to gamble blindly, and De Zerbi at least brings a clear identity.

Their last outing only deepened the concern, fumbling a relegation six-pointer in a 0-3 defeat to Nottingham Forest despite a cracking atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have cooled off after a bright start to life back in the Premier League. Once flirting with European ambitions, they now find themselves down in 11th. Form has dipped, with just 2 wins in their last 7 league games, although one of those was a late 2-1 derby win over Newcastle in their most recent match.

What time does Sunderland vs Tottenham kick off?

Location: Sunderland, England
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Date: Sunday, 12th April 2026
Kick off Time: 2 pm BST
Referee: Rob Jones
VAR: James Bell

Sunderland vs Tottenham: head to head record

The reverse fixture ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw for Spurs. Ben Davies had given Tottenham the lead in the first half, and they looked the better side for large parts, only to be denied late on by a Brian Brobbey equaliser.

That said, Tottenham remain unbeaten against Sunderland since 2010. While that run includes Sunderland’s years outside the Premier League, it still stretches across 15 top-flight meetings; a record Spurs will be keen to maintain. (BBC)

Tottenham team news

This international break was supposed to bring a wave of positive injury updates for Tottenham, with Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur all nearing returns. However, things have not quite gone to plan.

Kudus, arguably Spurs’ most important player earlier in the season, has suffered a setback in his recovery from a quad injury. Despite returning to training, the club have confirmed he is now expected to be out for a few more months.

Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert are not expected to feature again this season, while James Maddison could yet play a role in the final few games. Guglielmo Vicario is also sidelined after undergoing hernia surgery following the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Bentancur and Yves Bissouma remain doubts, with De Zerbi expected to provide clarity closer to kick off.

Sunderland team news

Sunderland will be without first choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs, along with Nilson Angulo, Jocelin Ta Bi, Bertrand Traore and Romaine Mundle. Daniel Ballard is also a doubt heading into this one.

Predicted lineups

Tottenham: Kinsky, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Gray, Sarr, Simons, Tel, Richarlison, Solanke

Sunderland: Ellborg, Geertruida, O’nien, Alderete, Hume, Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra, Rigg, Talbi, Brobbey

Our prediction

For a Tottenham side completely drained of confidence, the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi might just be the reset button they needed.

He has had around a week on the training ground, not a lot, but enough to begin planting his ideas. Early reports suggest the players have responded well, and that alone could lift the mood heading into this one.

From a stylistic point of view, De Zerbi ball will feel familiar to Spurs fans, aggressive in possession, brave in build up and with a defensive line that sits extremely high. You could call it a version 2.0 of what fans saw under Ange Postecoglou and it is the kind of football this fanbase naturally gravitates towards.

But right now, style takes a back seat. Results are everything.

A key focus will be the Romero-Van de Ven partnership. Neither has hit the levels expected this season, but De Zerbi’s system could suit them. It demands proactive defending and confidence on the ball, both traits they showed at their peak. Against a Sunderland side that has struggled for goals in recent weeks, this could be the perfect opportunity to reset.

Predicted score: Sunderland 0-2 Tottenham

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