Written by Viorel Mesca
Spurs will be eager to recover from the weekend’s loss, as they welcome Sunderland to the Lane.
Despite being formidable on the home soil, Tottenham will have to win this game without Van der Vaart, Aaron Lennon, Dawson and Defoe.
Harry Redknapp will probably line-up a 4-4-2 formation with Pavlyuchenko and Crouch playing up front, Bale, Modric, Huddlestone and Kranjcar (or Bentley) in the middle, Hutton, Kaboul, Gallas,Assou-Ekotto in defence and Gomes as goalkeeper.
In the absence of Van der Vaart, Harry relies on Modric to lead his team to victory, as the diminutive playmaker has the ability to make the difference tonight.
Redknapp has to pick-up a replacement for Aaron Lennon as both Kranjcar and Bentley are eager to play.
Niko Kranjcar has already expressed his desire to leave Spurs should he fail to regain a regular place in the team, according to Sportske Novosti:
“I feel great at Tottenham, so if I could play regularly for my team, then my first option would be to stay at White Hart Lane.
But if I don’t play much, then I will have to look for other solutions. Nobody wants to be a reserve and that goes for me too. If there is not enough space for me at Tottenham then I will have to think about the next step in my career.”
Perhaps, Harry will summon Gio Dos Santos and let him play at least 20 minutes, as the talented Mexican could provide a boost for the offensive department.
Meanwhile, Sunderland will miss both Darren Bent and Frazier Campbell, but will welcome Asamoah Gyan (who scored a brace against Stoke at the weekend).
Prediction
Spurs have been magnificent at the Lane so far and I guess they will win this one, even if Van der “Hero” is missing: 2-0 for Spurs.
