Sunderland vs. Tottenham: Predicting the Starting XIs

Just like that, audiences worldwide have less than a month to go before the 2013-14 Premier League season kicks off, and the preseason tournaments will soon get underway with Sunderland and Tottenham meeting in the first round of the Asia Trophy.

Sunderland have been the busiest of any side in the division, whereas Tottenham have been considerably less so, making for an interesting dynamic when the two clubs meet next week.

In total, Sunderland have officially completed nine signings this summer but look set to go into double figures in no time at all.

The following starting XIs have been constructed largely on what Spurs and the Black Cats already have amongst their ranks, but whom they might also expect to have in very advanced cases.

Sunderland Defence

Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone

With Simon Mignolet now out of the picture having opted for a move to Liverpool, Vito Mannone should begin his trial as Sunderland’s next top stopper.

Although the Italian hasn’t given any great reason to impress in the Premier League, Paolo Di Canio chose to take his compatriot from Arsenal obscurity and is set to hand the 25-year-old the opportunity of living up to Mignolet’s incredibly high standards.

Kieren Westwood may be left disappointed should such a decision come to pass but can certainly feel more comfortable challenging for the No. 1 spot against Mannone.

Right-Back: Gino Peruzzi

Although not officially a Sunderland player, it’s Gino Peruzzi who’s set to solve the right-back conundrum at the Stadium of Light.

The Velez Sarsfield defender has received rave reviews in his native Argentina and, according to the Daily Mail, is currently in the northeast ready to undergo a medical.

The same article explains that the move should spell the end of Phil Bardsley’s time at the club, but might also see Craig Gardner dropped to the bench.

Left-Back: Jack Colback

A versatile Sunderland talent if ever there was one, Jack Colback would be the player filling in at left-back for the Black Cats at this point in time.

Since Danny Rose ended his season-long loan at the Stadium of Light, Di Canio has failed to bring in another in that position, leaving Colback to fill in given the current squad, as he has done before.

Having said that, Metro have alleged that Cardiff City may attempt a swoop on Colback’s signature after the midfielder rejected a new deal in his current setting.

Centre-Back: John O’Shea

With Lee Cattermole’s position at the club looking uncertain, John O’Shea should develop an even tighter grip on Sunderland’s club captaincy and will remain first-choice centre-back as a result.

The ex-Manchester United defender keeps alive the Irish link that Sunderland has had for a number of decades now and can certainly be the leading force of the side on his day, even at the age of 32.

Coping better with the former, O’Shea will hope that it’s a tall and cumbersome attacker such as Emmanuel Adebayor who leads Tottenham’s line and not a nippier agent like Jermain Defoe come kickoff.

Centre-Back: Modibo Diakite

One of Di Canio’s savviest signings this summer, Modibo Diakite comes to the northeast of England on a free transfer from Lazio, albeit on the back of an injury-laden season which saw him make just the one appearance in Rome.

However, when fully fit, the 26-year-old has shown himself to be a fine centre-back, able to read the field ahead of him well and, at 6’4”, also a very strong aerial presence.

Sunderland Midfield

Central Midfield: Cabral

Another free signature for the club, Cabral arrives in Sunderland having won five Swiss Super League titles and three Swiss Cups with FC Basel.

A defensive midfielder by nature, the 24-year-old has Champions League experience and was a real driving force behind the club’s Europa League bid last term.

A tenacious player focused more on the unglamorous side of things, Cabral fits the Paolo Di Canio profile, performing a very specific task within the Black Cats’ squad, a small matter of which will be containing the creative juices of Paulinho and Gareth Bale in this particular showdown.

Central Midfield: Sebastian Larsson

Although a wide midfielder by nature, Seb Larsson’s malleability and the attribute of being able to fill in where needed has seen the Swede play in just about every midfield position in the last year.

Not the fastest of players, a central role would actually be the more fitting of roles for Larsson were it not for his superb crossing ability being wasted as a result.

Able to pick out a pass with the best of them, Larsson would be seen as the main puppeteer in Di Canio’s engine room, but defensive graft wouldn’t be expected.

Right Wing: Adam Johnson

The most creative player in Sunderland’s ranks last season, Adam Johnson laid on no less than 55 scoring chances for his side in the 2012-13 campaign.

Although left-footed by nature, Johnson prefers to cut in from the right before making use of his favoured boot, something the arrival of Emanuele Giaccherini will account for.

Left Wing: Emanuele Giaccherini

The biggest signing of the Paolo Di Canio era thus far comes in the form of Emanuele Giaccherini, a major coup for Sunderland that shows the kind of pulling power the manager has in his native Italy.

Although the forward wasn’t getting the playing time he may have wanted at Juventus, Giaccherini is still a starting Italy international who’s made 40 appearances for the Scudetto champions over the last two seasons.

Admittedly looking for first-team football in time for the 2014 World Cup, Giaccherini’s signing might be a fairly short-term solution at the age of 28, but Sunderland may well get the best out of the winger, who’ll trouble the attacking Spurs wing-backs to no end.

Sunderland Attack

Supporting Striker: Stephane Sessegnon

Although really an attacking midfielder, Stephane Sessegnon prefers to play off the shoulder of his side’s frontman since being given more advanced responsibilities under Steve Bruce.

Leading with just the one striker hasn’t done Sunderland a world of good in recent seasons, so the decision to partner two players together will likely bring more success.

That being said, “Sess” would still be expected to drop in and perform some of the creative duties for those around him, that’s if he remains at the Stadium of Light.

However, having netted six goals in Sunderland’s first preseason fixture this summer—albeit against an amateur lineup—the Benin international hasn’t lost his scoring touch.

Striker: Jozy Altidore

After some length of speculation, it seems likely that Jozy Altidore will be the one to lead Sunderland’s attacking line for the coming season, although an injury-free Steven Fletcher won’t be taking that as a given.

Altidore’s first voyage of the Premier League, a loan spell at Hull City, didn’t go quite to plan, but having scored 23 Eredivisie goals in 33 outings for AZ Alkmaar last season, the USA international is in far better shape to succeed this time around.

Stronger, faster and more developed in terms of skill than before, the 23-year-old will have a tough time getting past a very stern Tottenham back line but luckily has the creative components behind him to make it so.

Tottenham Defence

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris

Although the Frenchman only managed to fit in two-thirds of a campaign during his debut Premier League campaign, Hugo Lloris returns to the Tottenham squad as Andre Villas-Boas’ undisputed No. 1.

Brad Friedel waged an admirable fight for the spot but has now made way for Lloris, a confident and assured presence to have in the English top flight.

Dealing better with the physical demands of the division than last year, the 26-year-old Nice native will only improve as his tenure at White Hart Lane goes on.

Right-Back: Kyle Walker

Given that left-back is currently the biggest Sunderland void in need of addressing, things are looking up for Kyle Walker as things stand.

One of the most accomplished right-backs in the Premier League, the England international looks set to once again team up with Aaron Lennon in what was a devastating partnership last term.

That being said, with Emanuele Giaccherini now set to line up against him, the 23-year-old would be smart to not let his defensive game suffer as a result of his dribbling exploits.

Left-Back: Danny Rose

After spending a very successful loan spell at Sunderland last season, how ironic would it be that Danny Rose’s first test back as a Tottenham player comes against Sunderlandt?

Earlier this year, the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported that Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s inconsistency could lead to a summer exit. Meanwhile, Sky Sports have reported on AVB’s fondness for Danny Rose, which has undoubtedly increased since the defender’s loan last term.

In truth, one could argue that Rose’s standards last season were enough to warrant a starting spot for Spurs, and if a good preseason goes his way, that’s exactly what Rose might get against the club who gave him a springboard to Premier League recognition.

Centre-Back: Jan Vertonghen

Having earned himself a spot in the 2012-13 Premier League Team of the Year, it’s safe to say last season was a fine debut term in the division for Jan Vertonghen.

Right now, he’s one of the first names down on the teamsheet and would play in his favoured centre-back position as long as all is well at left-back.

Certainly the more mobile of Tottenham’s central defenders, it would be the Belgian international’s responsibility to ensure Sunderland’s striker(s) are under constant pressure, unable to gain a foothold in their opening match.

Centre-Back: Michael Dawson

While Vertonghen brings a touch of European flair to Villas-Boas’ back line, Michael Dawson is the Spurs stalwart who provides a more static staple to his side’s defence.

Now 29 years of age, Dawson has been at White Hart Lane for over eight years and is easily one of the more experienced embers of the squad.

In 2012-13, the North London veteran had a very impressive season and will look to fend off the challenge for a starting place from Steven Caulker and Younes Kaboul.

Tottenham Midfield

Central Midfield: Sandro

With Scott Parker seemingly surplus to requirements at Tottenham, Sandro will have an important role to play at the Asia Trophy, largely responsible for keeping Stephane Sessegnon’s contributions under wraps.

On his day, Sessegnon is the key between winning and losing for the Black Cats, meaning his movement and time on the ball will need to be kept to a minimum.

While others may add the glamorous touches, Sandro has built a career on a no-nonsense style of tackling play, based more around possession and ensuring the opposition have as little of it as possible, something the Brazilian will need to enforce in the northeast.

Central Midfield: Lewis Holtby

The sole signing of Spurs’ summer so far, Paulinho, has a lot to live up to in his first Premier League season but will have to wait until the actual league campaign kicks off for his chance.

For now at least, it's Lewis Holtby who looks most likely to line up in central midfield under Andre Villas-Boas and will be looked to for a creative injection against Sunderland.

Fortunately for the Black Cats, the German may still be settling into English football at the time of their meeting, but with six months already under his belt, now is the time for the young German international to start showing some of his former Schalke form.

That being said, should he settle quickly, Gareth Bale and others will find their jobs made far easier by the presence of another midfield maestro, who promises to eventually form a fantastic dynamic alongside Moussa Dembele.

Central Midfield: Moussa Dembele

One of the club’s more understated performers from last season, Moussa Dembele’s work both on and off the ball is something of a marvel at times.

The Belgian international, in short, does it all and will be expected to help out both in defence and attack against Di Canio’s Sunderland.

Last season, Dembele maintained an average 91 percent pass completion rate, creating 55 scoring chances for his teammates and winning 61 percent of all duels. "Well-rounded" would be an understatement.

Tottenham Attack

Right Wing: Aaron Lennon

Second only to Gareth Bale in terms of chance creation last season, Aaron Lennon’s contribution of 66 opportunities is still an impressive feat for the Englishman.

As aforementioned, left-back still remains a bit of a problem area for the Black Cats, meaning that Lennon will have an easier time of things as they currently stand.

That being said, Jack Colback can be a safe and secure option on his day, choosing to do the easier things rather than overcomplicate matters.

Regardless, Lennon, as he does with most full-backs, will have his opposite man beaten for pace and need only improve his crossing ability in order to ensure improved results this term.

Left Wing: Gareth Bale

The PFA’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year for 2012-13, Gareth Bale is without a doubt the first name on AVB’s teamsheet, as he would be for just about any manager.

Holding onto their Welshman has been a massive trial for Tottenham this summer, but the North Londoners have so far done well to fend off European interest.

Against Sunderland, it would be impossible to pick out one player Bale will come into contact with more regularly that others simply due to the fact that the attacker’s movement and tendency to drift inwards makes him a threat from all positions.

Bale will have his work cut out for him in damaging a Sunderland side who are looking refreshed under their Di Canio regime, but he certainly has the ability to turn the game on its head nonetheless.

Striker: Jermain Defoe

Before finishing this transfer window, signing an accomplished striker, as it has been for some time now, should be a priority for the London club.

However, as things stand, Jermain Defoe looks likely to be the man leading Spurs’ front line, just as he has done quite capably for some time now.

According to the Evening Standard, Emmanuel Adebayor’s move to Turkey is being held up (not for the first time) by the player’s wages, but that issue could be resolved in the coming months.

Although there’s a list of replacements in the rumour sections, Defoe is a solid option to have, albeit perhaps not the superstar all Spurs fans want.