v/s
Everton
White Hart Lane
29th August 2015; 1730 GMT
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Tottenham host Everton FC in what promises to be a mouthwatering Premier League clash on Satuday, having made a rather poor start to the new season. The London outfit are yet to win any game in the league, having lost their opening game against Manchester United and drawn the other two against Stoke and Leicester. Earning only 2 points from 3 opening games is a rather poor show, but Spurs have managed to score at least two goals in 8 of their last 10 games at home.
Everton on the other hand, come to White Hart Lane with decent form despite a loss to in-from Manchester City in their last outing. That game aside, Martinez’s men have seemed like good value for their money this season, beating Saints 3-0 away with Lukaku turning on the charm but disappointing against Watford in a home draw.
Team News and tactics
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Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs will continue to deploy a 4-2-3-1, but will be without Cristian Eriksen who is still out with a knee injury that sidelined him for the trip to Leicester last weekend, which could see Dele Alli start behind Harry Kane with Eric Lamela’s heavily rumoured move to Inter Milan jeopardizing his position in the team.
Eric Dier is expected to continue playing in the holding midfield role with Ryan Mason playing alongside him. Dembele and Nacir Chadli can be expected to be playing on the flank.
Spurs have taken all three points in their last two games against Everton at home and will be hoping to have their first win under the belt.
New singing Son Heung-min will not play any part, having made his move from Leverkusen but being yet to obtain a work permit and international clearance.
Spurs XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderwiereld, Verthongen, Davies, Dier, Mason, Alli, Chadli, Dembele, Kane.
Everton
Everton are also expected to match the formation of Spurs, with Roberto Martinez set to play the same team that he has used for most of the season, except at the left-back position with Leighton Baines injured and young Brendan Galloway joining him on the treatment table.
Martinez played Tyias Browning in the position after Galloway was subbed against City, though he also has Bryan Oviedo available. The Costa Rican is expected to get a start, despite being short of match fitness having suffered injuries of his own. Galloway remains doubtful.
Tony Hibbert, Steven Pienaar, Leighton Baines and Darron Gibson will all miss out due to injury. The manager is expected to start with John Stones, despite the club confirming they have rejected a transfer request from the player.
An in-form Romelu Lukaku will also be starting. He may not have fired against City, but looked super in the 3-0 mauling of Southampton. Ross Barkley is also expected to continue in the no. 10 role where he has been in fine form.
Everton XI: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Oviedo, Barry, McCarthy, Kone, Cleverly, Barkley, Lukaku
Player to watch out for:
Romelu Lukaku: The big Belgian ripped apart the Saints’ defence a couple of weeks ago, looking once again like the player who set the league on fire in 2013/14 before enduring a frustrating season in 2014/15. Expect him to trouble Aldereireld and Verthongen and occupy them both, to allow Kone and Cleverly alongside Barkley to find space.
Key facts
- Tottenham have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 10 home matches in the Premier League.
- Tottenham have won their last 3 matches against Everton in all competitions.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Everton’s last 3 away games in the Premier League.
- Everton have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches in the Premier League.
- Everton have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games with Spurs.
- Spurs have beaten Everton more times (22) in the Premier League than any other opponent and scored more goals (66) against them than against any other team as well.
Prediction
Spurs 1 a 1 Everton
Spurs missing Eriksen will be crucial. With Kane struggling for goals due to an injury as well, Spurs may not be at their fluent best. Lukaku and Everton may have enough in their locker to leave White Hart Lane with a point.
