The disappointing Toffees play host to the impressive Lilywhites at Goodison Park on Sunday.
A 4-3 home defeat at the hands of Stoke City only added to an unsightly long list of occasions where Everton have been in a strong, if not winning, position, and blown it. 3-2 in front with just under 20 minutes remaining, some simply awful defending allowed the Potters back into the game and with it, all three points.
Even with the 15-goal Romelu Lukaku in the squad, the equal-best tally in the Premier League, Everton find themselves in lowly 11th on the table with pressure continuing to rise on manager Roberto Martinez.
Meanwhile, Spurs are on fire. Since that shock loss against Newcastle, only their second of the season and first since the opening day of the season, Mauricio Pochettino’s team has notched up three straight wins, defeating the tricky trio of promoted sides in Watford, Norwich and Bournemouth.
The chance is there for Tottenham to go five points clear of Manchester United, which would see them solidify their place in the top four, hot on the heels of Manchester City in third.
Key Battle – Romelu Lukaku vs Harry Kane
Are these two the best young strikers in the Premier League, maybe even world football? It is hard to argue otherwise and the stats tell their own story. Lukaku has 15 goals and Kane has 11 after a somewhat sluggish start to the season.
Either striker will have much different prospects to deal with. Spurs’ Englishman will face an Everton defence that is strong on paper, but lax in reality; it has conceded 28 goals, with only Lukaku’s work papering over the cracks.
The former Chelsea man’s task will be far tougher. Tottenham boast the meanest defence in the top flight, having conceded just 15 goals, so this could be Lukaku’s most vital contribution of the campaign to date. If his team is any chance, he must be clinical.
Team News
Both James McCarthy and Tom Cleverley could miss the match through respective leg injuries, with Muhamed Besic likely to be drafted into defensive midfield. Young left-back Brendan Galloway’s spot in the team could be at risk after receiving something of a touch-up from Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri.
The bench Tottenham boasted against Watford speaks volumes of their squad depth. Kyle Walker, Ryan Mason, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min all sat on the pine, with the later three introduced. Only one changed will be forced upon Pochettino will Moussa Dembele suffering from injury and in strong doubt.
Head-to-Head
Spurs lead the ledger against the Toffees with 58 wins versus 48 in 156 fixtures. Everton are winless against Tottenham since December 2012; on that occasion, Nikica Jelavic gave the Blues a dramatic late win at Goodison.
Previous Meeting
The sides last met in August at White Hart Lane in the league. The hosts dominated but could not break the Toffees down, with the shares spoiled in a 0-0 draw.
Prediction
Goodison Park is a place on edge, making the opening stages of the match crucial. The first goal could settle this match – especially if Tottenham pinch it. An unhappy home crowd will equal an unhappy Everton performance.
Everton 1 Tottenham Hotspur 3
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