Game Week 23 Predictions: Tottenham to beat Everton

Everton vs Tottenham match preview: Form, key players, predictions.

Everton's defensive structure will frustrate Tottenham on Saturday, how will the visitors react? (Photo credit: 90 Mins)

 Everton vs. Tottenham

Goodison Park

1:30pm

You can call this the Richarlison derby, and with the Brazilian being one of the few players who have played for both clubs, it would be fun to see how this plays out on Saturday.

Ange Postecoglou’s side laboured to a 3-2 win over Brentford in midweek, with Tottenham having to dig deep to grind out the result following a late surge from the Bees. They will likely face the same scenario at Goodison Park.

Everton’s season has been dramatic. From being docked ten points for breaching finance rules to going on a monstrous run of great results, they have been defensively solid, shutting out opponents in many games, thanks to the duo of James Tarkowski and Jarrod Brathwaite.

Tottenham fans must be angry seeing Heung Min Son progress on Thursday in the Asian Cup. The South Korean scored the winner in a comeback win, and his country is now through to the semifinals. Fans would prefer he return on time with the league hitting an important stretch.

Everton’s form is decent, but their position on the log isn’t. The Toffees currently sit in the relegation zone, and only a result against Tottenham would get them out, at least until surrounding teams play much later in the day.

The trio of Dele Alli, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Seamus Coleman are all back in training, and one or two of them could be available for selection. Sean Dyches has been about defensive shape, getting the right man in each position to stop the opposition. It’s left to be seen how he deals with Spurs’ high-line approach.

Yves Bissouma and Heung Min Son are notable absentees for Spurs due to international duties. The return of James Maddison is a major boost; he is the glue for them in the creative department, and they must be delighted to have him back.

Expect Tottenham to go all out early in the game. They won’t want a slow start like they had against Brentford; they need to settle in quickly before the hosts get a grasp of the game. Expect an early goal in this game.

Tottenham is the favorite, but Everton would be happy to get a draw. The hosts will defend deep and hope to find Dominic Calvert Lewin in space. The Spurs set-up could give some hope to long balls and set pieces; this will be fun to watch.

Verdict: Spurs to win