Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur

Goodison Park forms the backdrop for a lopsided Premier League showdown between relegation-fighting Everton and top-four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite a spirited performance in a scoreless draw at Fulham last time out, Everton slipped into the relegation zone at the end of the previous round following Luton’s overwhelming triumph against Brighton. Sean Dyche’s men head into proceedings amidst a woeful run of form, having failed to win their last five outings across all competitions (D2, L3. That’s not to mention they’ve drawn a blank in three straight matches in the build-up to this fixture, which is a bad omen given their perennial struggles against Tottenham. Indeed, the ‘Toffees’ have only won once in their last 22 league encounters against ‘Spurs’ (D10, L11), courtesy of a 1-0 triumph in North London almost four years ago. If it’s any consolation, Everton generated a higher xG in the reverse fixture despite losing 2-1.

On the other hand, Tottenham fought back from an early deficit to beat fellow London rivals Brentford 3-2 at home in midweek Premier League action, making it three unbeaten league games on the trot (W2, D1). In turn, Ange Postecoglou’s lads have leapfrogged Aston Villa into fourth, but with the Birmingham outfit taking on rock-bottom Sheffield United later in the day, ‘Spurs’ need to pull off their first top-flight double against Everton since the 2017/18 campaign. That could prove easier said than done, considering they’ve traveled poorly of late, picking up just one win on their last five domestic road trips (D2, L2). Defensive frailties have cost them dearly during that sequence, knowing a free-scoring frontline bagged 2+ goals on four occasions.