Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to keep their Champions League dreams alive when they face Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs need to beat the Black Cats and hope that Arsenal fail to win against Newcastle United in order to claim fourth position and qualification for next season's competition.

Sunderland's safety was confirmed on Tuesday night after Wigan Athletic's defeat at Arsenal, so the pressure will be off for Paolo Di Canio's men at White Hart Lane.

The hosts have not lost in seven league games, while Sunderland have picked up just three points from a possible last 18 on the road.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas could make changes to the team which won 2-1 at Stoke City last weekend, with Moussa Dembele in line to replace Scott Parker in midfield. Defender William Gallas is out with a calf problem.

Di Canio will be forced to name a different side to the one which drew 1-1 against Southampton last time out as on-loan defender Danny Rose is ineligible to play against his parent club. Titus Bramble could come into the side with John O'Shea moving to left back.

Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner are suspended for the match.

Recent form

Spurs: DWDWDW

Sunderland: LWWLDD

Possible starting lineups

Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen; Lennon, Huddlestone, Dembele, Dempsey, Bale; Adebayor

Sunderland: Mignolet; Bardsley, Bramble, Cuellar, O'Shea; Larsson, Colback, N'Diaye, McClean, Johnson; Graham

Sports Mole says: 2-0