EPL – Match Preview – Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

EPL – Match Preview – Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

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Tottenham host Everton at White Hart Lane in Saturday’s afternoon kick-off as they aim to collect their first win of the 2015-16 season.

Everton will be looking to collect three points after a draining week on and off the pitch as they played 120 minutes in the Capital One Cup against Barnsley, concurrently dealing with John Stones’ official transfer request to join Chelsea.

Tottenham are still winless after three games and Pochettino will be looking to collect a vital three points before his players leave for the international break. Last week versus Leicester, Spurs looked to have won three points when the highly-rated Dele Alli scored what looked like the winner in the 81st minute. ‘Soft-touch Tottenham’ reappeared as the North Londoners conceded directly from kick-off as Riyad Mahrez continued his fine form.

Everton have had a mixed start to their season. A 2-2 draw with Watford was not terrible, but not ideal. Roberto Martinez’s side looked a different class as they brushed aside Southampton 3-0. When they came up against a Manchester City side – that has laid down an early marker that they are favourites for the title – the Toffees were outclassed. Aleksandar Kolorav gave the Citizens the lead with a good shot from a tight angle before substitute Samir Nasri extended City’s lead just before the end. Everton will be hoping to take advantage of a Tottenham side struggling to see out games.

Key battle – Mason/Dier vs McCarthy/Barry

Both Martinez and Pochettino will be looking for their teams to control the game, specifically through the middle of the park. Tottenham’s midfield of Eric Dier and Ryan Mason has not done a terrible job so far but a true defensive midfielder is needed to stop Spurs conceding silly goals. They do tend to control games and Pochettino has stated many times that he has been happy with the way that his side has been bossing teams. Can the young duo of Dier and Mason contain James McCarthy and Gareth Barry? The two midfielders have been partnering each other in midfield for the past two seasons and they are a match made in heaven. McCarthy provides the energy and controls the rhythm while Barry shields the defence. Whichever midfield controls the game will contribute significantly to the outcome of the match.

Team News

Christian Eriksen is the only missing player for Spurs as he continues to struggle with a knee injury. Andros Townsend, however, returns following a few months out with shoulder and ankle injuries. Apart from Eriksen, Pochettino has a full squad to choose from. New signing Clinton N’jie is available to make his debut after his work permit was granted while fellow new signing Son Heung-min may have to wait until after the international break to make his debut as his transfer is still awaiting international clearance.

Tottenham Hotspur Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris (GK); Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason; Lamela, Dembele, Chadli; Kane.

Brian Oviedo is expected to start at left-back as Brendan Galloway and Leighton Baines remain out. The transfer saga surrounding John Stones is not expected to affect the player as Roberto Martinez has confirmed the Chelsea target is “fully focused” and will start. Darren Gibson, Steven Piennar and Tony Hibbert will miss the match through foot, hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Expected Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Howard (GK); Coleman, Stones, Jagkielka, Oviedo; McCarthy, Barry Cleverley, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku.

Head-to-Head

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have met on 158 occasions. The Toffees have claimed victory on 50 occasions (31.65%). Spurs have won 59 matches (37.34%) and 49 have ended in a draw (31.01%).

Previous Meeting

Tottenham completed the double over Everton last season. At White Hart Lane, the now-departed Roberto Soldado grabbed the winner in a 2-1 win while in the reverse fixture on the final day of the season, Harry Kane’s 31st goal of the season was enough to give Spurs a 1-0 win and allowed them to surpass Everton’s arch-rivals Liverpool for fifth in the league.

Prediction

A win is imperative for Tottenham. Fan morale is low at White Hart Lane but would have been boosted by the signing of Son who left Champions League football with Bayer Leverkusen to join the Lilywhites. The South Korean will be presented before the White Hart Lane crowd, which should lift the mood. A happy crowd should spur Tottenham to put in a good performance.

Everton will not roll over and if their performance against Southampton is anything to go by, they can dominate teams that are accustomed to seeing a lot of the ball. The battle will be won in the midfield where  the teams may cancel each other out.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Everton 1

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