EPL Week 31 Sunday Preview

TYNE-WEAR DERBY AND SPURS HARRY-KANE VISIT TURF MOOR

One of the most gruesome derbies in English football takes center stage today as arch-rivals Sunderland and Newcastle go head to head. Elsewhere, Pocchetino takes his Harry-Kane Spurs side to Turf Moor to battle relegation threatened Burnley.

BURNLEY VS TOTTENHAM

The Clarets just sit a point of safety welcome a side who have their eyes on a top 4 finish. Burnley have had a tough run thus far having played six teams from the top half of the table, make it seven after today's game and eight when Spurs London neighbors Arsenal visit Turf Moor next weekend. The Clarets will be in high hopes as both Manchester clubs have failed to leave Turf Moor with 3 points this season, United drawing while City lost not too long ago.

Spurs of course bring something different in the form of Harry Kane, the leagues most in form player at the moment. Aside from the defeat at Old Trafford where Kane was a mere spectator, he has been banging in the goals from all angles, a hat-trick against Leicester in their last outing and how about scoring 79 seconds into your international debut?! A victory for Spurs will see them move into 5th place.

Spurs will be without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who is suffering from a leg injury and Roberto Soldado. Stephen Ward returns for Burnley but Matt Taylor is still unavailable.

Prediction; Burnley 1-2 Tottenham

Burnley will put in a good effort but Harry Kane is on the form of his life and we all expecting him to notch up the winning goal.

SUNDERLAND VS NEWCASTLE

 

The Stadium of Light is the venue for the Tyne-Wear derby, Sunderland host the fiercest rivals Newcastle with new manager Dick Advocaat looking to continue The Black Cats impressive run of results against Newcastle. Sunderland are unbeaten in the last six meetings against the Toons, winning the last four games conceding only once in the process.

Newcastle will be hoping to get one over their rivals but will have to do it without the services of Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cisse who are both suspended but Mehdi Abeid returns from a thigh injury. The only absentee for The Black Cats is experienced defender Wes Brown, Lee Cattermole returns from suspension.

Prediction; Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle

Newcastle really have nothing to play for but pride and bragging rights. They sit 10 points off the relegation zone and 9 from their opponents. Sunderland are desperate for a victory to give them a bit of breathing space from the three bottom clubs. With more at stake for Sunderland, I see them continuing their impressive run against Newcastle. It won't be easy but they'll just edge it out.