England Premier League
Friday 16th April 2021
Kick off at 8pm BST
Venue: Goodison Park
Match Preview:
Friday night’s game will see two teams that had a shot at a top four place but are probably now destined to finish outside. However both clubs will not have given up the chase yet and that is why this match will still have with huge interest. Certainly whoever loses this game will be out of a top four finish, that's something we're able to say with confidence.
Both sides have had glorious moments during the season, Tottenham started well as did Everton, and Tottenham beat both Manchester teams. Everton won their first six league games and this was the season when they finally beat eternal rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
Still for Everton this is a season that may well be remembered as the one that got away and for all their bullish performances throughout the season the club have been, on reflection, toothless at home. The Toffees would be in 14th place based on home form alone and have won 18 points from 45. Their last home game ended 1-1 against Crystal Palace and it was a match that summed up their home form given that they were winning 1-0 with just four minutes to go. It’s just one win in their last five at Goodison and the worry on Friday is that the club have dropped points at Goodison Park to far lesser quality than Tottenham.
Everton come into this encounter in 8th place on 48 points after drawing their last two games, last weekend it was a 0-0 result away to Brighton. Carlo Ancelotti’s team are 1 point behind Tottenham so victory would take them above their visitors. But Everton cannot go higher than seventh this weekend. Form is not good with no wins in their last 4 games and we would have to go back to the beginning of March for the clubs last victory which came away to West Bromwich Albion.
Still one feels that all of the pressure is on Tottenham coming into this game. That is because big things were expected of the club with Jose Mourinho in charge. However it feels that they are taking backward steps compared to the Mauricio Pochettino days, a manager who guided the club to a Champions League final and now, it seems, the club may not even qualify for the competition itself. Sure there can be criticism laid at Ancelotti too but at the end of the day Everton look set to finish with 5-10 points more than they achieved last season, so there surely will be some progress.
Last weekend Tottenham lost their 10th game of the season and their 5th at home against Manchester United, no matter if they took the lead they still went down 3-1. Victory for the club would move them only one place above Liverpool on goal difference until the weekend fully kicks in. Form has been woeful for Tottenham though with just 1 win in their last four games.
On the road Tottenham’s record is slightly better and they have won 7 games from 16. Their last away game ended in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle and their last away win was against Aston Villa three weeks ago. With 26 goals goals scored away from home Tottenham have the 5th best amount of goals this season and they do tend to score a few goals on their travels and that includes scoring 4 in their last two games.
Team News:
Everton: Allan has missed the last few games for Everton but is expected back for this match after his knock, he may be assessed though ahead of the game. Andre Gomes has recovered from his hamstring injury, he will be assessed before this game but is expected to play. Bernard looks set to be ruled out again with his recent knock. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to return for this match after his recent groin injury. Joshua King has a knock but is expected to be fine for this game. Yerry Mina is ruled out with a muscle injury and isn’t expected back until May. Jean Philippe Gbamin’s terrible luck continues and the player who has played less than 200 minutes in almost 2 years has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Fabian Delph are long term absentees.
Tottenham: Ben Davies is out with a knock, Matt Doherty has the same problem, he may be assessed but is a huge doubt for this game.
Everton vs Tottenham Head to Head:
Last season this fixture ended 1-1.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Everton won 1-0.
There is a 60% chance to see both teams to score.
Recently Everton beat Tottenham 5-4 in the FA Cup at home, but in the league Everton have not recorded a win over the club since 2012 when at home.
Everton vs Tottenham Prediction:
The majority of the recent games when Everton have been at home to Tottenham have ended in draws, although that will be do neither club any favours here. This will be closely contested fixture and you feel a piece of magic will settle the game. Both teams have those players that could win the game in a blink of an eye and this should be an entertaining game.
It is a match that perhaps will not open up until the second half though and whilst this is an important game for Everton you start to feel that this could be a job threatening match for Jose Mourinho at Tottenham. He will have to out tactic Ancelotti, something he has managed just once from 5 games so far. With how close this game will be there is good value to be had but we wouldn’t be surprised if this is a cautious one especially in the first half before opening up as it goes on.
As for who we see winning, despite neither club being in good form, Everton have been particulary uninspiring recently, therefore we think the safest option is to back Tottenham with the draw covered on the refund.
Everton vs Tottenham Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Tottenham) at 1.60
Highest Scoring Half: 2nd halt at 2.10
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