Tottenham Hotspur will host Everton in a crucial Premier League clash this weekend, with both teams eager to secure their first win of the 2024/25 season.
Spurs, who are aiming for a top-four finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League, will look to make their home advantage count. Meanwhile, Everton, a team struggling to find consistency in recent seasons, will be desperate to bounce back after a disappointing start to their campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Form and Motivation
Tottenham Hotspur began their season with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, a result that left them with mixed feelings. While they managed to secure a point away from home, the Spurs faithful would have hoped for a stronger start, particularly given the ambitions of the club under new management. Tottenham’s primary objective this season is to secure a top-four finish, ensuring their return to Europe’s elite competition, the UEFA Champions League.
The home fixture against Everton represents a golden opportunity for Spurs to register their first win of the season. A victory would not only boost their confidence but also send a strong message to their rivals that they are serious contenders for a top-four spot. However, the task won’t be easy, as Everton, despite their struggles, will be looking to make life difficult for the hosts.
Everton’s Struggles and Determination
Everton have endured a tough few years, and their season opener did little to inspire confidence among their supporters. The Toffees were soundly beaten 3-0 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion, a result that laid bare the issues within the squad. Injuries and a lack of cohesion were evident, and the pressure is already mounting on the team to turn things around quickly.
A trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium presents Everton with a challenging task, but also a chance to make amends. They will need to show greater resilience and tactical discipline if they are to have any hope of leaving London with a positive result. A strong performance here could be a turning point for Everton, potentially setting the tone for the rest of their season.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Everton
Tottenham will be without some key players for this fixture. New signing Dominic Solanke is sidelined with an ankle injury, much to the disappointment of the Spurs fans who were eager to see him in action. Rodrigo Bentancur is also unavailable due to a head injury, and Yves Bissouma will miss out due to a suspension following a disciplinary issue.
Given these absences, Tottenham are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Guglielmo Vicario will take his place between the posts, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie as the full-backs. The central defensive partnership is likely to feature Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who will be tasked with keeping Everton’s attack at bay.
In midfield, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr will likely form the double pivot, providing both defensive cover and support for the attack. James Maddison, who is expected to start in the central attacking midfield role, will be the creative fulcrum for Spurs, looking to unlock Everton’s defense with his vision and passing.
On the flanks, Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min will add pace and width to the attack, while Richarlison is expected to lead the line in Solanke’s absence. The Brazilian forward will be keen to make an impact against his former club and help Spurs secure a crucial victory.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Gray, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison
Everton
Key
Everton, on the other hand, are dealing with a significant injury crisis. Nathan Patterson, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, Ashley Young, James Tarkowski, Dele Alli, and Seamus Coleman are all unavailable for selection due to various injuries and suspensions. This leaves manager Sean Dyche with limited options as he prepares his team for this challenging away fixture.
The Toffees are likely to adopt a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Jordan Pickford starting in goal. Mason Holgate and Vitaliy Mykolenko will be the full-backs, tasked with containing Tottenham’s wingers and providing support in counter-attacking situations. James Tarkowski and Michael Keane are expected to form the central defensive pairing.
In midfield, Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil will operate on the wings, looking to provide service to the forwards and stretch Tottenham’s defense. Tim Iroegbunam and Idrissa Gueye will anchor the midfield, focusing on breaking up Spurs’ play and protecting the backline. Abdoulaye Doucoure will play in a more advanced role, acting as the link between the midfield and the lone striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Calvert-Lewin, who will lead the line for Everton, will be the focal point of their attack. The striker will need to be at his best, using his physicality and finishing ability to trouble Tottenham’s defense and possibly snatch a goal for the visitors.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Holgate, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Harrison, Iroegbunam, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Key Stats and Matchup Insights
- Tottenham’s Dominance: Tottenham Hotspur have been dominant in this fixture in recent years, remaining undefeated in 15 of their last 16 home matches against Everton in all competitions.
- Goals Galore: Spurs have scored at least two goals in their last three home matches against Everton. The last six encounters between these two sides have produced 16 goals, indicating the potential for an exciting, high-scoring game.
- Everton’s Struggles: Everton have failed to win any of their last six matches against Tottenham, highlighting their recent difficulties in this fixture. Moreover, the last three meetings between these teams have seen both sides find the back of the net.
Player to Watch: James Maddison
James Maddison will be a key figure for Tottenham in this match. The creative midfielder has the ability to exploit Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly given their current injury woes. Maddison’s vision, passing range, and set-piece expertise make him a constant threat, and he will be crucial in creating opportunities for his teammates.
With Everton’s defense looking shaky in their season opener, Maddison could have a field day, finding the spaces between the lines and threading passes through to the likes of Son, Kulusevski, and Richarlison. His performance could very well determine the outcome of the match.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Everton
Tottenham Hotspur come into this match as the clear favorites, especially given Everton’s injury problems and their poor form in recent encounters. While Everton will be motivated to put in a better performance after their opening day defeat, the quality and depth of Tottenham’s squad should see them secure a comfortable win.
A 2-0 victory for Tottenham seems like a likely outcome, with goals from Richarlison and Son Heung-min potentially sealing the three points for the home side. Everton’s struggles may continue, as they face the daunting task of turning their season around without some of their key players.
Final Thoughts
This match offers Tottenham Hotspur a prime opportunity to kickstart their season with a win, while Everton will be looking to defy the odds and pull off an upset. With both teams having plenty to prove, fans can expect an intense and hard-fought contest. However, Tottenham’s superior quality and home advantage should ultimately see them emerge victorious, adding further pressure on an Everton side that is already battling against adversity.
