Everton vs Tottenham: 3 key battles that could decide the result
For Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, nothing short of a victory would save them the blushes, as they face off against each other at the Goodison Park on Sunday.
The 2-0 triumph over Watford in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals recently would be a welcome change for Everton considering the fact that they have managed to win just once in their last five league outings.
Everton sit just two spots above the relegation zone, with 10 points on board. With six losses, one draw and three wins, the Toffees are in a dangerous spot.
Things haven’t been smooth for Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino either. He is currently facing the toughest of times in his Spurs managerial career. They are now placed 11th on the table with three wins, three draws, and four losses.
Inconsistency has been the greatest deterrent for both clubs, as they look for that elusive win. Let’s now take a look at the interesting tactical battles that await us.
Battle of the bosses
It would surely be a match of tactics between Silva and Pochettino as both seek a revival of fortunes.
The Argentine who is known for his high-pressing and attacking brand of football mostly favours a 4-2-3-1 formation but has at times shifted to 4-3-3 in accordance to the necessities of the game.
Silva too has been a fan of 4-2-3-1 and has stuck by it under most conditions. Moreover, the North London side are unbeaten in their 12 meetings with the side, winning nine of them. A positive which the Argentine can look up to before the match.
Moreover looking at the season, the Argentine has had more success than his Blues counterpart.
Big-match players
By all means, Tottenham have a big-match player in Harry Kane. The Englishman leads the scorers’ chart among the players from both sides, with six goals in his kitty.
Meanwhile, for the Toffees, Richarlison has been the most impressive player with two goals and the same number of assists.
Kane is arguably one of the most dangerous poachers in the game at the moment, as evident from his recent goal against Liverpool last week.
Son Heung-min is another one such character who could give Everton the headaches. He has two goals and two assists to his name.
All will depend on how Coleman handles the South Korean. Son, with his pace and quick dribbling, would be a tough opponent for Coleman, who plays at right-back.
Lucas Digne, who has two assists to his name is Everton’s second-best player, according to WhoScored.com.
Weak full-backs
Tottenham have been disastrous at the back, especially full-backs Serge Aurier and Danny Rose.
Aurier made a big blunder the last time they visited Merseyside, as he conceded a penalty.
Rose has also been a shadow of what he was in the Champions League final last year. However, he is set to miss this game after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season, and would be replaced by Ben Davies.
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If Silva plays Richarlison as a lone striker, Iwobi, who had donned the attacking midfielder role in their previous game against Watford will shift to the left flank, with Brazilian Bernard injured and out.
With Moise Kean out of form, experienced campaigner Theo Walcott could get the nod on the right flank.
Much would depend on how Everton’s game progresses on the flanks. It could be anybody’s game until then.