Everton host Tottenham Hotspur on the Matchday 20 on the back of a heartbreaking loss at home to Stoke City. While they have managed a meagre 6 points from the last 6 outings, their guests for the evening, Spurs have been in impressive form, with 3 consecutive wins on the trot and will be looking to make it 4 at the Goodison Park.
Team News
Everton
Everton will definitely be without the services of influential midfielder James McCarthy, Tyias Browning, Luke Garbutt and Tony Hibbert while the likes of Tom Cleverly and Bryan Oviedo remain doubtful for the game. There is some good news for a side plagued by injuries as Phil Jagielka is set to return to the matchday squad after having recovered from his injury. However, manager Martinez might look to continue with the Stones Funes Mori pairing to ensure he doesn’t rush his captain.
Tottenham Hotspurs
Tottenham do not have as many injury concerns as their hosts, with Mousa Dembele and Clinton N’Jie set to miss out as they recover from their injuries. However, we believe that Mauricio Pochettino will make a few changes to the side that started last week against Watford.
Interesting Facts
This will be 160th meeting between these two teams in all competitions, with Tottenham being the more successful side with 59 wins compared to Everton’s 50.
Harry Kane has been directly involved in more Premier League goals in 2015 than any other player (27 goals, 4 assists).
Possible Line-Up
Everton
Howard, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines, Barry, Besic, Barkley, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Lukaku
Tottenham
Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Dier, Alli, Lamela, Son, Eriksen, Kane
Key Men
Ross Barkley
While Everton might not have a lot to show for with just a single win in the last 6 games, Ross Barkley has been in imperious form, making crucial tackles, skipping past his opponents with ease and functioning as the engine of his side. With 6 goals and 7 assists this season, he has directly contributed to close to 40% of the Toffees’ goals in the league. He currently leads the chance creation charts with 34 chances and would need to be at the top of his game to get past the likes of Dier and Alli who are performing admirably as the Pivots of the Spurs’ side.
Dele Alli        Â
Dele Alli has been the revelation of the season from White Hart Lane. Signed from MK Dons in last January, he was tipped for stardom by many, but none predicted his quick adaptation to the tough Premier League. He has already established himself as one of the two deep lying midfielders along with Erik Dier under Pochettino and could make that position his for years to come. Everton have a susceptible defence and Alli, who is now also beginning to show his attacking abilities could turn out to be a menace operating with time and space at his mercy from a deeper position.
Prediction
Everton have played some eye-catching football over the last few weeks and we expect the trend to continue. On the other hand, Spurs’ have eked out crucial results without much fuss and we believe their attack would prove to be a handful for the Toffees’ defence to handle. We predict a 1-2 win for the Spurs.
