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Sunderland v Tottenham, Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa and more: Premier League – live
TL;DR
Sunderland faces Tottenham in a crucial Premier League match, while Nottingham Forest hosts Aston Villa, both teams vying for European competition spots. Crystal Palace also competes against Newcastle, with Eddie Howe's managerial position under threat.
Generally speaking, I quite enjoy having ADHD, which I appreciate is a peculiar place to begin a Clockwatch. But one time I absolutely hate it is when I’m watching a Roberto De Zerbi team, knocking the ball about at the back backwards, forwards and side to side until the opposition lose the will to live and do exactly what they know he wants them to do, pressing his defenders just to get things moving. For those who struggle with impulsivity and sensation, frustration and concentration, this turns an antidote – football – into a poison – also football. Such is the beauty of the game.
And we can be certain that even the most inattentive, antsy and compulsive Spurs fan will be delighted to suffer such behaviour if it keeps them in the Premier League – a situation looking less likely by the day. If it’s not Mohammed Kudus suffering a setback it’s West Ham slapping Wolves, the cosmos seeming rounding on the club and with good reason; years of parsimony, arrogance and mismanagement have brought us to here, here being 13 in 2026 of which they’ve lost eight and drawn five, scoring 13 and conceding 27. Rarely, if ever, has a plight been so comprehensively earned.
Sunderland, on the other hand, have been a revelation, intelligent research allowing them to pick their perfect manager, then furnish him with the players he needs – the exact opposite of their visitors today. Safety secure, they dropped off a little towards the end of winter, but after completing their first league double over Newcastle in over a decade, they arrive at today’s match in carefree disposition.
If that was all we had this afternoon, it’d be plenty – dayenu, one might say – but it’s not even the half of things. At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest, two points and two places above Tottenham, entertain Aston Villa, in the hunt for a Champions League spot, with both sides coming off decent Europa results and a potential semi-final between the two on the horizon. It’s going to be a helluva ruckus.
Meantime, at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, also pursuing European glory in the Conference, meet Newcastle, with Eddie Howe’s position under serious threat. Another defeat to follow that derby embarrassment, and he’s ten to gone – so somewhere else to focus for those less than thrilled by De Zerbi’s tipping and tapping.
Kick-offs: 2pm BST
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Q&A
What is the current Premier League standing of Tottenham and Sunderland?
Tottenham is currently in a precarious position, having lost eight and drawn five of their last matches, while Sunderland is performing well, recently completing their first league double over Newcastle.
How are Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa performing in the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest is two points and two places above Tottenham, while Aston Villa is competing for a Champions League spot, both coming off positive results in the Europa League.
What is at stake for Eddie Howe and Newcastle in their match against Crystal Palace?
Eddie Howe's position as Newcastle's manager is under serious threat, and another defeat could lead to his dismissal, adding pressure to the match against Crystal Palace.
