In a meeting between two clubs that desperately need a Premier League victory, Everton welcome Tottenham to Goodison Park. Neither team have impressed during the opening months and need to have a strong finish to the calendar year to stay in touch with their aims. It is looking increasingly likely that neither team will finish in the top-six this season, which would leave both questioning those in charge. The visitors have become mainstays in the top four, with the drop-off being a huge concern. Meanwhile, the home side have spent a lot in recent years and are making little to no progress. A win for either would be huge at this time in the campaign.
Everton will be pleased with their performance during the week, as they beat Watford to reach the next round of the Carabao Cup. The second half performance, in particular, was encouraging and Marco Silva will be hoping that the team can build on that. They have been better at home this season and this fixture offers a great opportunity to pick up a morale-boosting three points. The Toffees are currently in 16th position, but a victory will lift them above Tottenham. It is important that the results pick up for the Portuguese manager, as the board won’t tolerate their current position for long.
Despite leading for a large portion of the game, the overall performance against Liverpool was under par from Tottenham. They have played excellent football for the majority of the Mauricio Pochettino reign, which makes the recent slump all the more baffling. The Argentine now no longer knows his best team. He is currently in a state of wanting to move on from the players with expiring contracts, but needing to use them while they are still at the club. This has created a very difficult atmosphere, which has clearly affected matters on the pitch. A strong performance is required this weekend, but it is difficult to back them in their current guise.
Interesting stats
Everton haven’t won any Premier League match when conceding the first goal under Marco Silva.
Tottenham haven’t won any of their last 11 Premier League away matches, in a torrid run of form on the road.
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Key men
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Richarlison
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Marco Silva and Richarlison have become closely linked during their time in England. The latter enjoyed great success under the Portuguese coach at Watford and it was no surprise when they linked up again at Everton. There is a general feeling that the Brazilian is central to the success of Silva at Goodison Park. If he can start firing like he was at the beginning of last season, the Toffees should start to gain momentum and climb the league table. The 22-year-old currently has two goals and two assists in the Premier League. Although he has managed to double his assists compared to the entirety of last season, his decline in goals is a worry. He is attempted 2.5 shots per game, which is a slight increase from the previous campaign. This suggests that he isn’t as clinical in front of goal and lacking in confidence. He remains young, but there is huge potential and if he performs well against Tottenham, they will cause the visitors a lot of issues.
Son Heung-min
The South Korean international has been very lively in matches, without the end product that we have become accustomed to. It is unlikely that this lack of clinical edge will continue for much longer and that could mean a surge of goal-scoring form for Son over the coming months. If that did happen, it would be much needed for Spurs, as they have become a little bit one-dimensional throughout the rest of the team. The benefits of Son is that he provides an explosive option that is very difficult for opposition defences to deal with. He also has two goals and two assists, like Richarlison. However, any betting man would back the Tottenham forward to finish the season with more goals. In an alternate universe, the 27-year-old doubles the team’s lead against Liverpool and that may have led to a victory to change the club’s fortunes. Although he struck the post, the phase of play underlined the forward’s strengths. He is the main danger man for Tottenham at this time.
Team news
Yerry Mina is battling to be passed fit for the visit of Tottenham, while Bernard will be sidelined. They are the only fresh injury concerns for the home side.
Danny Rose will be serving a one-match suspension, following his accumulation of five yellow cards. Jan Vertonghen is a doubt. Erik Lamela won’t be fit to return for the visitors.
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Verdict
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This is going to be a fascinating fixture, as a loss for either team would be devastating considering their recent form. Everton’s home advantage could count for something, as they have looked a lot more assured at Goodison Park. Tottenham have looked lost in recent weeks and it would be a surprise if they improved considerably on Sunday. A home victory looks a good bet and that will increase the pressure on Pochettino.
Everton 2-1 Tottenham
