Everton v Tottenham Hotspur – Spurs to Edge Toffees at 10/1

Categories: Football | Published by: AC

04/09/2017

Updated: 29/09/2022

EPL Preview: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur – Goodison Park – September 9, 2017 – 15:00 hrs

Ronald Koeman's Everton get set to take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Goodison Park on Saturday. It is their second home encounter of the 2017-18 season. The Toffees who had been so good at the Park last season, registered their first win of 1-0 against Stoke City this season there. But this time around they do not have someone like Lukaku. They also had to bank on Wayne Rooney goals to score successes in their first two games. Following that, they sorely lacked attacking initiative in the next game against Chelsea. They were completely overwhelmed 2-0 by an overtly aggressive opponent.

Against Tottenham, the story could well be the same what with the likes of Harry Kane and Del Alli lurking the goal-mouth. Kane was especially brilliant against Malta in the WC 2018 qualifier. Two late goals from him gave England a crushing 0-4 win.

Del Alli, too, was very impressive and was involved in at least two goals in the Malta clash. Both of them would like to carry the good form of the qualifiers into the Goodison Park clash. They need to erase the memory of the very difficult outing they had against Burnley a week ago. It was at Wembley when Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw.

Mauricio Pochettino will want his boys to convert the dominant possession game into goals. This was found lacking in the matches against Burnley and Chelsea (which they lost 1-2). With French international goalie, Hugo Lloris between the posts. A tight defense comprising of Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Ben Davies. It's highly unlikely that the Everton attack will make any impression as far as goal-getting is concerned.

The Toffees’ £5.3 million acquisition from Malaga, Sandro Ramirez, has been a poor replacement for Romelu Lukaku and that has markedly been witnessed from his lacklustre performances in the only two games he has played for his new club so far.

Everton are presently in 12th spot with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss and 4 points to their name. Tottenham are on 9th spot with identical points and results. They are only ahead by virtue of a goal difference. But all that's set to improve for Pochettino's men post the Everton clash. Given the history between the two, bookmakers are wagering for a comfortable win for the visitors.

The last instance of an Everton win was way back in December 2012, but following that they have not been able to get the better of the Lily Whites in as many as 9 outings in which they have lost on 4 occasions. The Spurs' last two trips to Goodison Park had ended in 1-1 draws, but without someone like Lukaku around for the hosts, a win for Mauricio Pochettino's men could be a mere formality.