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Location: White Hart Lane, London, England, United Kingdom
Kick-off: 1835 IST, 1405 GMT
Referee: Andre Marriner; Linesmen: D Bryan, S Massey; Fourth Official: J Moss.
While most eyes will be on the Manchester Derby this evening despite the Premier League title race being what some call a foregone conclusion, given Manchester United‘s very healthy lead, a less high-profile game with a lot more riding on it kicks off today afternoon at White Hart Lane.
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With Arsenal now back in the top four – albeit temporarily – Spurs need to win this game if they are to keep their hopes of automatic qualification into Europe’s elite intact. For Everton, who have been making progress in every EPL season, their trip to London represents a chance to stake their claim for European football this season.
Form
Tottenham Hotspur: DWLLL
04/04/2013: FC Basel, 2-2 (H), UEFA Europa League
30/03/2013: Swansea City, 2-1 (A), Barclays Premier league
17/03/2013: Fulham FC, 0-1 (H), Barclays Premier League
14/03/2013: Internazionale Milano, 1-4 (A), UEFA Europa League
10/03/2013: Liverpool FC, 2-3 (A), Barclays Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent form is far from the imperious swagger-laden performances they displayed in the first half of the season. Having won only one game in all competitions – away in Wales at Swansea – Spurs got through to the quarter finals of the Europa League by the skin of their teeth, and a stumble at the business end of the season similar to the one they are currently displaying is a definite no-no.
But Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas can take heart from the last time Everton travelled to Spurs. Goals from Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto gave the hosts a comfortable win against the Toffees.
A classic game fondly remembered by Lilywhite fans took place in 2003. In a game where the lead constantly changed hands, Everton put three past Spurs with goals from Brian McBride, Steve Watson and Tomasz Radzinski but a Robbie Keane hat-trick following Gustavo Poyet’s opener gave the White Hart Lane side a memorable win.
Everton: WWLWW
30/03/2013: Stoke City, 1-0 (H), Barclays Premier League
16/03/2013: Manchester City, 2-0 (H), Barclays Premier League
09/03/2013: Wigan Athletic, 0-3 (H), FA Cup
02/03/2013: Reading FC, 3-1 (H), Barclays Premier League
26/02/2013: Oldham Athletic, 3-1 (H), FA Cup
David Moyes’ men are nothing if not dogged and resilient, qualities which are absolutely vital in a campaign run in. Elimination in the FA Cup at home to the Latics aside, Moyes’ men have shown plenty of determination, a characteristic that was demonstrated in spades when they beat reigning Premier League champions Manchester City 2-0 despite going down to ten men.
Former South Africa international Steven Pienaar was sent off in that game, but while Everton have been in excellent form at home, this is their first trip on the road since they lost to Norwich on the 23rd of February.
But the Toffees are aware that Gareth Bale is absent for Spurs and in his absence will try to take advantage of the situation. Spurs have only won eight out of 14 Premier League games without the Welshman since 2010-11.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs will be without the key trio of Aaron Lennon (knee), William Gallas (calf) and talisman Gareth Bale (ankle) and Villas-Boas is counting on his fringe players to step up to the plate, but both Lennon and Gallas are scheduled to have scans before the game.
The Portuguese tactician is hoping his squad has enough depth to beat Everton, with the above players beginning treatment three days ago. They are expected to be out for around three weeks.
In addition, defender Younes Kaboul, midfielder Sandro (both knee) and frontman Jermaine Defoe (pelvis) are sidelined for this game.
Squad (from): Hugo Lloris (GK), Brad Friedel (GK), Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton, Michael Dawson (c), Steven Caulker, William Gallas, Jan Vertonghen, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Aaron Lennon, Lewis Holtby, Jake Livermore, Moussa Dembele, Tom Carroll, Scott Parker, Tom Huddlestone, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Clint Dempsey, Emmanuel Adebayor
Probable Starting XI: Lloris (GK); Walker, Dawson (c), Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Livermore, Parker, Dembele; Holtby, Dempsey, Adebayor
Everton
The Goodison Park outfit are missing the influential duo of Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar, who are serving out suspensions. They are also sweating on the fitness of Belgium forward Kevin Mirallas who scored a memorable winner against Stoke eight days ago as he is battling a groin injury.
Captain Phil Neville is also expected to be out as he undergoes rehabilitation following surgery to his knee.
Squad (from): Jan Mucha (GK), Tim Howard (GK), John Heitinga, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman, Darren Gibson, Leon Osman, Kevin Mirallas, Nikica Jelavic, Victor Anichebe, Bryan Oviedo, Stephen Naismith, Ross Barkley, John Stones, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Shane Duffey, Apostolos Vellios, Francisco Junior
Probable Starting XI: Howard (GK); Coleman, Jagielka (c), Distin, Baines; Gibson, Osman, Barkley; Naismith, Anichebe, Jelavic
Key Men
Tottenham Hotspur: Lewis Holtby
In the absence of Gareth Bale, it will most likely be Lewis Holtby who starts on the left today. Today evening’s game is of special significance to him. The winter signing from Schalke 04 has an English father and a German mother.
His father Christopher is an avid Everton fan and will be sporting his Toffees jersey. Club loyalties aside, the senior Holtby will surely be proud, watching his son play on the field against his favourite team.
Everton: Nikica Jelavic
In the absence of Fellaini and Pienaar, the burden of scoring goals will fall on the shoulders of Nikica Jelavic. The Croatian international has only scored eight goals in 35 games this season but returned to form with a lovely goal against City. Having scored against Spurs in his two previous meetings with them at Goodison Park, the number seven will hope to find the back of the net to give his side three points and put a dent in Spurs’ Champions League aspirations
Predictions
This is a game that both sides have a genuine chance of winning. Gareth Bale’s absence will feature heavily in Spurs’ performance today and if they don’t find their stride without him, Everton could pounce and come away with a priceless win. Should Spurs settle in early, though, they should pull off a win.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Everton
