Tottenham v Everton – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Tottenham host Everton in the English Premier League on Saturday. Spurs drew their opening match while the Toffees lost 3-0 with ten men. The Merseyside club are pushing a crisis at right back for this clash.

Tottenham Form

Ange Postecoglou’s team had a terrible end to last season. Their final seven league fixtures saw five defeats, beginning with a 4-0 thrashing away at Newcastle. A 3-2 loss to Arsenal and a 2-0 home defeat at Chelsea followed. A fourth-straight loss saw them beaten 4-2 at Liverpool having trailed 4-0.

Things improved in the final three rounds. They beat Burnley 2-1 before missing some big chances in a 2-0 home loss to Man City. On the final day, the Spurs won 3-0 against Sheffield United. This campaign began with a 1-1 draw at Leicester despite having 15 shots and 70% possession.

Tottenham Team News

Spurs are without Yves Bissouma, who is suspended internally. Rodrigo Bentancur is out due to concussion and Oliver Skipp has been sold. Speedy winger Wilson Ogobert has been signed from Burnley and could debut off the bench.

Richarlison is available after a knock but is not expected to start. Dominic Solanke will lead the line. Youngster Archie Gray may play in midfield with Bissouma and Bentancur out. Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall is another option.

Tottenham Motivation

Spurs will see this as a must-win match against a struggling and injury-hit Everton.

Postecoglou’s side will play an attacking game and are expected to have very high possession numbers.

Everton Form

Sean Dyche’s team had a fine end to last season to avoid a relegation battle. After losing 6-0 at Chelsea, they rallied to beat Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at home, both by 2-0 margins. A 1-0 victory over Brentford came with 18 shots attempted.

After drawing 1-1 at Luton, they beat Sheffield United 1-0 at home. On the final day, Everton were beaten 2-1 at Arsenal by an 89th-minute goal. This term started with a defeat, 3-0 at home to Brighton. A red card after 66 minutes for the Toffees was a factor as they had just 38% possession and one shot on target.

Everton Team News

The Toffees are without three right-back options for this match. Ashley Young is suspended and both Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman are injured. Mason Holgate will have to cover in that role.

Jarrad Branthwaite is set to miss out with a groin injury, so Michael Keane is expected to deputise. With James Garner also injured, youngster Tim Iroegbunam will start again next to Idrissa Gueye.

Everton Motivation

Dyche will not care about possession and his side may have around 30% of the ball.

A draw would be a great result. Everton will play a direct game and try to be hard to beat in a low block.

Key Stats

Tottenham have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 18 of their last 22 EPL matches

Tottenham have conceded in 28 of their last 32 matches (55 goals conceded)

Spurs have lost 5 of their last 8 matches

Spurs’ Dominic Solanke scored 19 league goals last season

Everton have won 4 of their last 7 EPL matches

Everton have seen Both Teams to Score NO in 7 of their last 9 league matches

Verdict

While the Toffees ended last season well, their recruitment and injuries make them look weak. Spurs should have too much and could win by a good margin.

Best Bet: Tottenham win (-1 handicap) at 2.10
Alternate Bet: Tottenham win and Over 2.5 goals at 1.95
Goalscorer Tip: Dominic Solanke to score anytime at 2.05

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis