Tottenham XI vs Sunderland: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

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Evening Standard

·2 Januari 2026

Tottenham XI vs Sunderland: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

One Tottenham star is expected to lose his place after failing to take chance against Brentford

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Lucas Bergvall remains a doubt ahead of Tottenham’s game against Sunderland this weekend.

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Bergvall missed Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Brentford with a muscular injury after coming off just past the hour mark during Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Frank said the Swedish midfielder would be assessed over the next two days.

"Lucas Bergvall is a doubt. We hope he'll be ready,” said Frank.

With Bergvall a doubt, Frank is likely to stick with the same midfield three he deployed against Brentford.

He will, however, hope to see more from his midfielders in possession as Spurs struggled to build any momentum against the Bees.

Frank provided a positive update on Dominic Solanke after Spurs' draw with Brentford, stating that the English striker could return to fitness by the end of January.

Solanke, who has not played since August, has struggled with a recurring ankle injury, but partially returned to training this week.

Frank, though, neglected to put a timeframe on the 28-year-old’s return.

"The thing I need to know about, of course, is when he's out there on the pitch. Then that's positive, of course,” Frank said.

“But to say mid-Jan or end of Jan or 25th of Jan, I will not do that. I will very much look forward to naming the dates when he's involved in the squad.”

I will very much look forward to naming the dates when he's involved in the squad

Thomas Frank

Xavi Simons remains out as he serves the final game of his three-game suspension following his dismissal against Liverpool.

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Destiny Udogie, meanwhile, are long-term injury concerns, with Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr still away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Tottenham were disjointed and struggled to create anything against Brentford, but with Frank short of options, he is unlikely to make any drastic changes to his starting lineup.

Wilson Odobert was given a rare chance to impress at the Gtech Community Stadium, but his performance lacked intent, and he could make way for Randal Kolo Muani, who dropped to the bench against Brentford.