Everton v Tottenham: Tottenham's troubles to intensify

Everton v Tottenham
Saturday September 08, 15:00

Everton keen to build on solid start

After an encouraging transfer window that featured some astute signings, Everton have made a decent start to the new campaign. European qualifiers have been an issue for the Toffees in the past (in 2005 they crashed out of the Champions League and UEFA Cup before the group stage), but they safely negotiated what could have been a tricky Europa League tie against Hajduk Split.

Four points from three Premier League games isn't the most striking of returns, but visits to Manchester City and Chelsea are already out of the way. Boss Ronald Koeman was happy with his team's work-rate in the 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, but criticised a plethora of errors and a lack of aggression.

The Opta stats show that recent history is against an Everton victory this weekend. They haven't won any of their last nine league games against Tottenham, a run that stretches back to December 2012. That said, their recent run against the Lilywhites at Goodison Park is strong, with just one defeat in the last ten Premier League meetings on Merseyside.

Not for the first time in his career, Wayne Rooney has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Although Koeman says he is bitterly disappointed by the player's drink-driving charge, he remains available for selection. Given Rooney's record against Spurs, that's hardly a surprise - Opta tell us he has scored 11 goals in his 16 league games against them. Meanwhile, Morgan Schneiderlin returns from suspension.

Wembley curse hampering Spurs' progress

I wrote in my Premier League season preview that I felt Tottenham would miss out on a place in the top four. The chief reason for that conclusion was the crippling effect of playing what will effectively be 38 away games. So far, Mauricio Pochettino's side have lost to Chelsea and drawn with Burnley at Wembley, leaving a win at Newcastle as their only victory so far.

Harry Kane's bizarre argument with the month of August continues, and he is yet to find the net in the Premier League this season. At least Dele Alli is scoring, having netted against Newcastle and Burnley. That said, he needs to work on his comedy - the world's still trying to work out how raising a middle finger constitutes hilarious banter (I'm not allowed to use the word bantz in a proper article).

Pochettino doesn't care about Alli's alleged indiscretion, or indeed the back catalogue of controversy that comes with new signing Serge Aurier, who isn't likely to start after playing two World Cup qualifiers for Ivory Coast. What Pochettino does care about is getting his side back on track, and Spurs are chasing a fourth consecutive Premier League away win.

Match Odds

Spurs' price for the win has lengthened over the course of the week, but they still seem a bit too short to me at 2.14. Tottenham haven't been at their best, and it's worth noting that Everton have won 10 of their 11 Premier League home matches in 2017.

You can back Everton to get a result using the Double Chance market at 1.86, which means you'll get a winner if Everton win or the game is drawn.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Everton's three-man defensive system has worked fairly well so far, which has contributed a situation where all seven of their games in all competitions have featured fewer than three goals.

Two of Tottenham's three league games have seen an Under 2.5 Goals bet land, as have six of the last eight Premier League meetings between the sides. Unders can be backed at 1.89.

To Score

Kane is looking for his 100th Tottenham goal, and he is 2.20 to get it. Alli is 3.45to make it three PL goals this season.

Given his record against Spurs, Rooney has to be worth considering at a hefty 3.75, while Gylfi Sigurdsson is 4.50 to net against his old club.

Recommended Bets
Back Home or Draw in the Double Chance market at 1.86
Back Under 2.5 Goals at 1.89