Tottenham will be desperate to put an end to their winless run in the Premier League when they take on Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The curtains will fall on Gameweek 11 of the 2019-20 Premier League season on Sunday, with an interesting clash closing out this weekend’s action. Two sides in desperate need of three points meet in Liverpool, as Everton play hosts to Tottenham at Goodison Park.
Inconsistency has been the name of the game for Everton ever since Marco Silva took charge of the club last year. But, the situation has been more grim in the first few months of the 2019-20 season, with the Toffees failing to win seven of their first 10 Premier League games, a run of results that has left them languishing at 17th on the table.
Tottenham too have blown hot and cold this season and uncharacteristically so. The North Londoners have won just three of their 10 Premier League matches so far, with their poor showings sending them plummeting to 13th in the standings. But, their last couple of performances promise an improvement in fortunes, especially after running Liverpool close last weekend.
The corresponding fixture last season ended in a 6-2 trouncing of Everton, with Son Heung-min, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen on target for Tottenham. Ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
Marco Silva has a couple of fresh injury concerns to deal with ahead of the visit of Tottenham. On Sunday, the Everton boss could be without as many as three first-team players, with Yerry Mina a major doubt due to a knee problem that has bothered him for some time now.
If the Colombian is unable to shake off his injury, Mason Holgate could start at the heart of the Everton defence alongside Michael Keane. Djibril Sidibe has impressed since coming into the side as a replacement for the then-suspended Seamus Coleman and should keep his place as the right-back, with Lucas Digne starting on the opposite flank.
Up ahead in midfield, Andre Gomes has been an instrumental figure for Everton and will start in the double pivot, with Fabian Delph providing him company. Alex Iwobi will provide the creative thrust in the final third, although this time around, he is likely to move out to the left flank, with Bernard missing out through a knee injury.
With Iwobi moving to the left, Gylfi Sigurdsson should reprise the no. 10 role, with Theo Walcott supplying a pacy outlet on the right side of the Everton attack. Richarlison will lead the line for the hosts against Tottenham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Sidibe, Keane, Holgate, Digne; Delph, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Iwobi; Richarlison
Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino has a couple of pressing issues on his hands ahead of the trip to face Everton. On Sunday, the Tottenham manager could be without as many as four first-team players, with three of those being certain to miss out.
Club captain Hugo Lloris is a long-term absentee due to an elbow injury he sustained in October. In his stead, Paulo Gazzaniga will continue between the sticks. And, after a strong showing at Liverpool last week, the Argentine will be keen to continue his upsurge in form.
Danny Rose misses out against Everton due to a one-match ban, accrued after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last week. The English full-back will be replaced by Ben Davies on the left side of the Tottenham defence, with Serge Aurier starting on the opposite flank.
Meanwhile, Jan Vertonghen is a major doubt due to a hamstring injury. The Belgian might not be risked, meaning Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez will form the central defensive partnership for the visitors. Harry Winks could have Tanguy Ndombele for company in the midfield double pivot, with Moussa Sissoko dropping out.
The attacking quartet, though, is unlikely to be tinkered with, particularly considering the resurgent run of Dele Alli and the creative impetus that Christian Eriksen provides. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane are certain starters in the final third for Tottenham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies; Winks, Ndombele; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane
Key Stats
- Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games against Everton (W7 D6), their joint-best undefeated sequence against the Toffees in the top flight.
- Nine of the 10 points that Everton have amassed this season have been earned at Goodison Park.
- Tottenham are without a win in in 11 Premier League away games, a run which includes 9 defeats (D2).
- Everton have lost their last two Premier League games at Goodison Park against Tottenham by an aggregate score of 2-9 (0-3 and 2-6). They have never lost three consecutive top-flight home games by a margin of 3+ goals against an opponent before.
- Harry Kane has scored two goals in each of his last four Premier League appearances against Everton. No player has ever scored 2+ goals in five consecutive games against an opponent in the competition’s history.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
In a season that has been mired in inconsistency for Tottenham, Harry Kane has provided a glimmer of hope every now and then with his goalscoring exploits. The England captain is Spurs’ top scorer this season, but has been far from his best, which, in a way, bodes well for the North Londoners.
Up against one of his favourite opponents next, Kane will look to torment a struggling Everton side, with a record in sight. After showing positive signs at Liverpool last week, chances are Kane could be the man to make the difference for Tottenham against Everton.
Prediction
Everton 1-2 Tottenham
Two sides that are not used to finding themselves in the bottom half of the table, Everton and Tottenham are struggling to carry through their respective manager’s philosophy on the pitch. The Toffees are just unable to turn a corner, taking one step forward and two back. Tottenham seem to be getting bogged down by a number of issues.
But, despite their struggles, Tottenham have goals in them, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min showing signs of a return to form lately. Expect a close contest between the two struggling teams, but with the visitors to just edge the tie. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Mauricio Pochettino & co.
