Evening Standard
·2 gennaio 2026
Tottenham XI vs Sunderland: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·2 gennaio 2026

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.
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
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.

Failed audition: Wilson Odobert
Getty Images
After being greeted with boos by the travelling support on his return to Brentford, Frank is in desperate need of three points and a performance that supporters can rally behind.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-3-3): Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro, Bentancur, Gray, Palhinha, Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Kudus
Injured: Solanke, Maddison, Udogie, Kulusevski
Doubts: Bergvall
Suspended: Simons
Unavailable: Bissouma, Sarr (AFCON)
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Sunday, January 4, 2026
How to watch: Sky Sports
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium









































