Everton vs Tottenham Preview and Prediction

Everton vs Tottenham Match Preview

Relegation-threatened Everton in 18^th place will host upward-trending Tottenham Hotspur in fourth in the Premier League on Saturday, February 3.

The hosts enter this game on the back of a poor run of form, having won just once in their last nine games across competitions. Apart from that, they have fallen to five defeats and been held to three draws. Everton were eliminated from the FA Cup by Luton Town, followed by a goalless draw in the league against Fulham in their last game. Sean Dyche’s men needed to find their rhythm once again or be doomed to a relegation battle again this season.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are in a much better vein of form than their next opponents. They have won six of their last 10, losing three and drawing one game. It’s noteworthy that they have scored at least two goals in all but one of their wins, meaning they thrive when they have momentum. Ange Postecoglou’s men showed great character to defeat Brentford 3-2 in their last game to climb back into the top four and will now look to move further up the table. To do so, they will have to be at their very best week in, and week out.

With that said, let’s take a look at the team news for both sides.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Everton

Dyche’s men enter this contest with pretty much a clean slate except for some long-term absentees. Dele Alli has been out with a muscle tear since March last year and a return to Everton’s first team looks like a distant dream currently.

Forward Arnaut Danjuma picked up a knock in their goalless draw against Fulham last time around. He was subbed off as a precautionary measure but should return to the starting XI. Meanwhile, Idrissa Gueye will be back too following Senegal’s elimination from the AFCON. Luckily, they have nobody at the risk of suspension.

Everton are likely to stick with the same combination as their last game against Fulham. Should Gueye return in time, he could start in midfield to add solidity.

Predicted XI: Jordan Pickford (GK), Ben Godfrey, James Tarkowski (C), Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, Arnaut Danjuma, Jack Harrison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Tottenham

Spurs will be without a couple of key players for this game for various reasons. Ben Davies and Giovani Lo Celso remain sidelined with muscular issues, while Manor Solomon is nursing a meniscus injury. Elsewhere, Heung-min Son (South Korea) and Yves Bissouma (Mali) will miss another week or so due to their commitments at the Asian Cup and AFCON, respectively.

However, Pape Matar Sarr should be back in the fold following Senegal’s elimination, giving Postecoglou a boost in midfield. James Maddison started in their win against Brentford having come on as a sub in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City prior to that.

Postecoglou will retain his best XI for this game as he looks to mount a title charge with an exciting squad.

Predicted XI: Guglielmo Vicario (GK), Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero (C), Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Timo Werner, Richarlison.

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Head-to-Head

Last 5 Games H2H (PL)

• Spurs 2-1 Everton (12/23)
• Everton 1-1 Spurs (04/23)
• Spurs 2-0 Everton (10/22)
• Spurs 5-0 Everton (03/22)
• Everton 0-0 Spurs (11/21)

Prediction

As you can see, Tottenham have absolutely bossed their home games, winning each of the last three by scoring nine and conceding just one. However, each of their last four meetings at Goodison Park in the PL have ended in draws.

Everton are renowned for making their home ground a fortress with their vociferous support and it could prove to be a tough test for Spurs yet again. However, with the form they are in and with players returning to action, it is difficult to look past them for this win.

The visitors should edge this one but it will be a narrow win, and likely one without too many goals. Richarlison will be one to watch as he was once an Everton player. He will have extra motivation to get on the scoresheet against his former team, in their backyard.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Tottenham.

Betting Tips

• Both Teams to Score: Yes.
• Richarlison: Anytime Goalscorer.
• Tottenham: Win.

Odds

• Everton Win: 2.85
• Draw: 3.70
• Tottenham Win: 2.50

Everton vs Tottenham Timings & Telecast

• Date & Time: Saturday, February 3^rd at 6:00 PM (IST).
• India: Star Sports Network, Hotstar app & website.
• UK: Sky Sports.
• US: Peacock Premium.

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