The season wraps up for Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Sunday, with both sides needing to win to sure up very different rewards.
On offer for the home side is a finish inside the league’s top 10 after what has been a somewhat indifferent season. However, the highest the Toffees can finish is their current position of 10th, with Stoke City four points ahead of them in ninth. Last week’s last-gasp, come-from-behind win against West Ham would have lifted the spirits of the squad, and Roberto Martinez’s side will be keen to end the campaign by rectifying its home form after being beaten by Sunderland a fortnight ago.
Likewise, Tottenham goes into the match on the back of a 2-0 home win against Hull City. Second-half goals from Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose secured a hard-fought win against the desperate Tigers. However, Spurs have stagnated somewhat late in the season, picking up only four points from their past four matches. For them, Europa League qualification is not yet safe. The Lilywhites need to win in order to sure up sixth place and edge out Southampton, who is a point behind them in seventh.
The match will also be veteran Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel’s last before he hangs up the gloves.
Key Battle – John Stones vs Harry Kane
These two players are among the best young talents English football has to offer. Kane has tormented many a defence this season after bursting onto the scene back in week 10 against Aston Villa, going on to score 20 goals, bested only by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
Stones, meanwhile, has also impressed after returning from a knee injury mid-season, becoming Everton’s first-choice centre-back alongside skipper and mainstay Phil Jagielka. Since January, 20-year-old Stones has won 64% of attempted aerial contests and 65% of tackles.
He will need to be in that sort of form in order to keep the free-scoring Kane quiet.
[interaction id=”555eb64528430a5757b3296a”]
Team News
Roberto Martinez will be forced into at least one change, with loanee Aaron Lennon ineligible for the clash against his parent club. Irishman Aiden McGeady looks likely to replace him on the right side of midfield. Young left-back Brendan Galloway, drafted into the team at Upton Park last week, held his own and is likely to keep his place, so, expect to see the same team that defeated the Hammers with the exception of Lennon.
Everton Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Howard (GK); Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Galloway; Barry, McCarthy; McGeady, Barkley, Osman; Lukaku.
Spurs emerged from the Hull match with a clean bill of health and no suspensions, so Mauricio Pochettino will not need to make any changes. However, as it is 44-year-old Friedel’s swan song, the Argentinian coach may be tempted to start him one final time.
Tottenham Hotspur Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris (GK); Dier, Vertonghen, Fazio, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane.
Head-to-Head
Everton and Tottenham have met on 154 occasions since 1909, with the Londoners shading the win count with 57 versus the Blues’ 48. There has been an additional 49 draws.
Previous Meeting
The teams last met at White Hart Lane on the first of December in the Premier League. A brilliant Kevin Mirallas strike gave Everton the lead, but goals from Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado saw Spurs go on to win 2-1.
Prediction
This match promises to be a close one, with both teams in similar predicaments so far as form goes. Realistically, Pochettino’s team has more to play for, but expect the Toffees to come out desperate to send their fans home for the final time this season with a winning feeling after a campaign of mixed fortunes.
Everton 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
