The last Premier League game of week 18 takes place at the Goodison Park when Marco Silva’s Everton take on Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs in the final Premier League game before Christmas. Events on Saturday in the Premier League meant that Spurs can go within 2 points of champions Manchester City and 6 points of league leaders Liverpool if they manage to win on Sunday. Chelsea’s 0-1 loss to Leicester City means they failed to usurp Spurs in 3rd position while Manchester City’s unexpected 2-3 loss to Crystal Palace meant they too also fail to widen the gap between themselves and Spurs in 3rd.
The matches are coming thick and fast and the Spurs squad will be stretched thin over this festive period. Spurs are the first side in Premier League history to fail to add an outfield player to their squad over the summer transfer window. They had to play a major part of their starting XI in the midweek quarter-final Carabao Cup tie to avenge a 4-2 loss to arch-rivals Arsenal in the league. Spurs won 2-0 and will need to produce the same level of intensity to match an Everton side who are looking for their first win over Spurs in 12 games and are well rested over the week.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has taken the lily whites to a whole new level since his appointment and his name is beginning to make the rounds as a potential manager for Manchester United next season. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, only City have totalled more points than Spurs. Spurs have 39 points from 17 games this season which is a club record for them. Their win over Arsenal in midweek was the side’s 10th win in 12 games in all competitions, a run which includes a draw away at Barcelona and a 2-4 loss to the gunners. Spurs run of 8 wins in 10 away games is the best away form in the Premier League.
Marco Silva’s Everton are in a bit of a rut right now with 3 draws, 2 losses and 1 win in their last 6 games in the league. They are not yet breaking into the top six and have even slumped to 11th with 24 points from 17 games played. A win against Spurs on Sunday will lift them to 7th on 27 points toppling Watford on goal difference. There is an argument that the gut-wrenching nature of their loss to Merseyside rivals Liverpool at the beginning of the month is the catalyst for their poor form in December having picked up only 2 points from the last 12 on offer.
The Toffees have amassed 18 of their 24 games at home and have lost just 1 of their last 12 games at home. However, they are win less in their last 22 league games against sides in the top six, losing 16 times in that spell, a streak dating back to January 2017.
Team News
Davinson Sanchez may return for Spurs to free Ben Davies to return to his favourite left back spot while Harry Kane will lead the line after starting from the bench in midweek. Serge Aurier, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen and Victor Wanyama are still sidelined.
Idrissa Gueye faces a late fitness test for Everton having missed their defeat to Manchester City last week due to a groin injury. Andre Gomes and Richarlison both missed training earlier in the week due to illness but are expected to be ready to play. James McCarthy is also nearing a return however this game will come too soon for him.
Verdict
Spurs are great travelling side while Everton are also fantastic at home this season. However, the Toffees run at home has come without facing a top six side at home. If Spurs begin to feel leggy on Sunday, Everton well rested in midweek may make them pay. While Spurs have the talent to scrape a win at Goodison, Spurs may finally draw their first game of the season in the Premier League on Sunday.
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