Match Center: Tottenham v Sunderland

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ENFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Assistant Manager, Jesus Perez (L) a member of the coaching staff (C) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (R) watch on during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur training centre on September 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /

Welcome to HotspurHQ’s Match Center for Sunday’s match between Tottenham and Sunderland. Check back here regularly for line-ups, half-time analysis and final whistle thoughts.

Tottenham’s fifth week of the Premier League season sees Sunderland visit White Hart Lane on Sunday in a match that both sides will feel a result is absolutely essential.

To say that Sunderland has yet to find their footing this season might be an extreme understatement. They are separated from the bottom of the table only by their superior goal difference compared to Stoke City, having scored three goals but conceded eight.

The only thing keeping Sunderland from the bottom, in fact, is the four unanswered goals Tottenham scored against Stoke last weekend.

That spectacular result provided the momentum that Tottenham took into their first Champions League tie on Wednesday, only to lose it rather quickly as Monaco managed to put two goals past Hugo Lloris in the opening 31 minutes. Tottenham would ultimately fall to Monaco by a 2-1 scoreline.

Such an unexpected loss puts added pressure on Tottenham to get a no-nonsense win over Sunderland Sunday. How will they go about doing so?

Mauricio Pochettino’s disinclination to rotate his starting XI very much between Stoke and Monaco might mean we see the first meaningful rotation of the young season. Check out our lineup predictor for details of who might start.

Tottenham’s record over Sunderland specifically in recent seasons should be cause enough for some confidence, and the Black Cat’s underlying numbers this season only solidify that impression. Check out our opposition preview for some insight into how Sunderland might find a win against a team they’ve earned a cumulative scoreline of 16-6 over the last three seasons.

That match has sparked plenty of enthusiasm. Check Alex Balano’s updates about Sunderland coach David Moyes’ praise for Tottenham, Kyle Walker’s thoughts on the club’s tactical options and how much Mousa Dembélé’s return means to the player.

The Belgian could be key for Tottenham as Pochettino looks to pull the club out of an early season slump. He might be helped along there if Harry Kane can find a way out of his own struggles.

After you’ve finished that pre-match reading, check back here about an hour before kickoff for line-up news from both teams and thoughts.