Chris Sutton has handed a warning to Tottenham Hotspur as they prepare to host Coventry City on Monday night in the Premier League.

Spurs are winless from their first six games, and they could go back to the bottom of the table by the time they take to the field on Monday.

Many have billed the clash against Coventry as a must-win game for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. In fact, Alan Shearer has asserted Spurs will be in a relegation battle this season if they do not win on Monday.

Shearer said: “I know they did really well when down to 10 men, coming back and getting a Solanke goal. So, that in itself will give them a bit of confidence, but they need a win massively. If they don’t beat Coventry on Monday, then I think they’ll be in a massive relegation battle, and I think that’s how big a game it is.”

Chris Sutton thinks there will not be a lot between Tottenham and Coventry

Sutton admitted that Spurs are getting better and praised their display at Old Trafford last Saturday.

The former Celtic striker believes that Coventry will not be pushovers, given their proficiency in counter-attack. However, he did predict De Zerbi’s men to edge out the newly promoted side 2-1.

Sutton told BBC Sport: “Tottenham will be fresh from their training camp in Marbella, and we are about to find out if it worked. If they don’t beat Coventry and get their first win of the season, then they will probably have to go back out there next week as well.

“Being serious, they do look like they are improving already, and they played well against Manchester United last week. They are a dangerous counter-attacking team, and their pace in forward areas will cause problems, but this is going to be Tottenham’s night.”

Tottenham vs Coventry prediction: 2-1

Coventry’s recent results should ensure Spurs are not overconfident

Coventry fired a warning to Spurs by demolishing Newcastle 4-1 at home last week, with Frank Lampard’s men showing how devastating they can be on the counter.

In fact, the Sky Blues come into Monday’s game with two wins in two, having also turned over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground before the international break.

It is worth remembering that those are two fixtures (at home to Newcastle and away to Forest) that Spurs got just one point from, as opposed to Coventry’s six. If the Lilywhites expect Lampard’s men to arrive at N17 and just turn over, they could be in for a rude awakening.

Speaking ahead of the game, Frank Lampard said: “When I look at them play, they have a lot of quality with a very good coach. We worry about ourselves and the start we had on paper to where we’ve got to with these two wins makes us feel good, so it’s not the time for comparison.”

When asked what he expects from Spurs, the Chelsea legend said: “As [we’re] a promoted side, I’m sure they’ll have a feeling of confidence against us. That’s fine. We have to believe in ourselves and go there with our own confidence and play with the same purpose we did against Newcastle.”