Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 3/01/2016
Kick-off: 16:00 (BST)
Match
From euphoria to despair, Everton suffered a 3-4 defeat at the hands of Stoke City last time out and the disappointing result would most certainly have been very difficult to take for the Toffees – especially having been at the wrong side of a contentious decision.
However, Everton cannot afford to cry foul or indeed wallow in self pity for too long if they are to avoid being left behind in the race for Europe and manager Roberto Martinez will be demanding his players to bounce back as soon as possible.
With a clash against an in-from Tottenham Hotspur side next though, one can be sure that Everton will have to play extremely well in order to get back to winning ways.
Everton Team News
Martinez will still be without the duo of James McCarthy and Tom Cleverley for the clash while Tyias Browning also remains sidelined. The likes of Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo are not match fit as of yet and will not be featuring.
Tim Howard will be starting in goal for Everton while the backline of John Stones, Ramiro Funes Mori, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman must do better defensively than they did against Stoke City.
With McCarthy and Cleverley ruled out, Muhamed Besic should get a start once again alongside the evergreen Gareth Barry while the attacking midfield position will be occupied by Ross Barkley.
In the wide areas, Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas look the most likely starters while even Arouna Kone and Aaron Lennon will be pushing for a start.
Romelu Lukaku was in stunning form against Stoke once again and he will surely have to do well in order for Everton to stand a chance against Tottenham this weekend.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Baines, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman; Besic, Barry, Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku
Tottenham Hotspur (Probable XI): Lloris; Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Walker; Alli, Dier, Eriksen, Son, Lamela; Kane
Last Meeting
29/08/2015 Tottenham Hotspur 0 – 0 Everton
24/05/2015 Everton0 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Prediction
Everton do not enjoy the best of records against Tottenham Hotspur, having failed to claim a single victory in their last six encounters and the home side probably head into Sunday’s clash as slight underdogs.
Nonetheless, there is very little to choose between the two sides and the clash should be an entertaining affair. Both teams will feel that the three points is up for grabs but Tottenham have had the measure of Everton in recent times and may just about claim a narrow victory.
Everton 1 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur
