Tottenham XI vs Sunderland: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Fresh injury setback for Roberto De Zerbi in bid to save Spurs from relegation

Tottenham will be without Guglielmo Vicario for Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge at Sunderland.

In a major blow to De Zerbi as he bids to save Spurs from relegation, Mohammed Kudus could miss the rest of the season.

It is telling that while De Zerbi has only added two new members to his coaching staff he has elected to bring in long-time fitness coach Marcattilio Marcattilii.

De Zerbi has inherited a squad plagued with injuries, and one of his major priorities will be to ensure as many players as possible return to fitness before the end of the season.

The Italian is boosted by the returns of Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel, who both featured heavily in footage of De Zerbi’s first training session last week.

Bergvall came off the bench during the 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest before the international break, while Tel had to be withdrawn midway through the second half with a groin issue and pulled out of the France Under-21 squad.

But both players look set to be available for selection on Wearside despite remaining at Hotspur Way over the international break.

Pape Matar Sarr is a doubt after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for Senegal, while Rodrigo Bentancur is edging closer to returning from a serious hamstring injury.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are long-term absentees, but there is optimism that both could play before the end of the season.

De Zerbi needs to make an immediate impact but it remains to be seen whether he will opt for a three or a four-man defence.

One thing we do know is that De Zerbi favours a ball-dominant style and so his selections will likely reflect his desire to maintain possession and bait his opponents into pressuring his team.

De Zerbi has admitted that results are more important than style heading into the final seven games of the season, and a fast start is imperative with Spurs in the relegation after West Ham won on Friday.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Gray, Bergvall; Kolo Muani, Simons, Tel; Solanke

Doubt: Sarr

Injured: Maddison, Davies, Kulusevski, Odobert, Bissouma, Kudus, Bentancur, Vicario

Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday April 12, 2026

Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland

How to watch: Sky Sports