Venue: White Hart Lane
Date: 30/11/2014
Kick-off: 15:00 (BST)
Match
Everton managed to continue their wonderful renaissance after claiming two impressive victories over West Ham United and Wolfsburg in the past week and the confidence surrounding the Toffees’ camp is certainly sky high at the moment.
Things are most certainly looking up for Everton and the club will now have their sights firmly set on finishing in one of the European positions – after it had looked unlikely following a difficult start to the season.
While things are certainly going well for Everton, they cannot afford to get too carried away and with a tough clash away from home against Tottenham Hotspur coming up – Roberto Martinez’s men will have to maintain their high levels if they are to continue their good run.
Everton Team News
Despite the wonderful run of form shown by his side, Roberto Martinez will surely be concerned by his ever growing injury list.
The victory over Wolfsburg came at a price as Everton lost James McCarthy to a hamstring injury. This means that McCarthy joins the likes of Gareth Barry, Steven Naismith and Steven Pienaar on the casualty list alongside long term absentees Antolin Alcaraz, Darron Gibson, Bryan Oviedo and John Stones.
Even Leighton Baines is struggling with a hamstring problem so it will mean that Tony Hibbert looks set to deputize at left back once again while Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman complete the back four.
At the middle of the park, Muhamed Besic should step in for McCarthy and the Bosnian international looks likely to be partnered by Leon Osman.
In the attacking areas, Martinez has more options to choose from as Kevin Mirallas, Ross Barkley, Samuel Eto’o, Aiden McGeady will be challenging for a spot in the starting lineup.
Mirallas and Barkley should get the nod on the wide positions while Eto’o will probably be deployed in a deeper position behind the striker. Romelu Lukaku should lead the line for Everton while as a big boost Arouna Kone has returned to full fitness as well.
Probable Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur(Probable XI): Lloris; Rose, Vertonghen, Kaboul, Dier; Chadli, Mason, Dembele, Eriksen; Kane, Soldado
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Hibbert; Barkley, Osman, Besic, Mirallas; Eto’o, Lukaku
Form
Tottenham Hotspur: W W L W W
Everton: D W D W W
Last Meeting
09/02/2014 Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 0 Everton
03/11/2013 Everton 0 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Prediction
While the stats may show that Tottenham are currently in a fine run of form, their performances have been woeful and most of their recent victories have been fortunate.
On top of that, Spurs’ performances at home this season have been less than inspiring and they are yet to convince anyone that they are top four material. Therefore, Everton should perhaps head into the game on Sunday as slight favorites as the Toffees’ have been much more impressive than Spurs.
That said though, clashes between these two sides have been close affairs in the past and Spurs have not lost against Everton in their last three meetings. So, one can expect another tight encounter between the two European hopefuls at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Both teams look equally matched in almost every area of the pitch and it seems like the little details will decide the outcome of the game.
Everton perhaps seem more potent in attack with the presence of Lukaku, Eto’o and Barkley but the solid Spurs’ defence will be tough to break down.
There will also be a worry that without the presence of McCarthy and Barry, the Toffees may not be able to retain possession as well as they have done this season while Hibbert playing in at left back is a concern.
The match should be a fascinating tactical battle rather than an attacking spectacle and a score draw looks the most likely outcome between two very well matched sides.
Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 1 Everton
