Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5
Best odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: 888sport
Tottenham Hotspur and Everton will both be aiming to bounce back from disappointing results in their opening Premier League fixtures when they meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Spurs couldn’t capitalize on their early control in a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Leicester City, while Everton endured a frustrating start to their season, suffering a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Tottenham Hotspur
At the age of 37, Jamie Vardy continues to prove his worth against the Premier League’s top sides, making Spurs pay for missed opportunities with a crucial equalizer at the King Power Stadium. Vardy, who wasn’t expected to feature on Monday, capitalized on Spurs’ defensive lapses, heading home to cancel out Pedro Porro’s opener, which was brilliantly set up by former Leicester City star James Maddison.
Ange Postecoglou’s men dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead, but a combination of poor marking and missed chances allowed Leicester back into the game. The second half saw Tottenham’s momentum stall, and despite the game being interrupted by a serious head injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, the visitors couldn’t push on for the win. Leicester, on the other hand, looked increasingly dangerous, and the break in play may have helped Spurs in avoiding a more damaging outcome.
With just two wins from their last eight Premier League matches, Spurs will be eager to avoid a repeat of their 2015-16 start, where they failed to win either of their opening two games. History, however, favors the North Londoners in their first home fixtures, with five wins in their last six opening matches on their own turf, though the one exception was a narrow defeat in 2020.
Spurs will now be aiming to restore momentum against Everton, knowing that a win is essential to set a positive tone for the season ahead.
Team News
Tottenham received a sigh of relief before the final whistle at the King Power Stadium, as it was confirmed that Bentancur was conscious, talking, and did not require hospitalization. However, in line with concussion protocols, the Uruguayan midfielder will be absent from Saturday’s clash with Everton.
In Bentancur’s absence, Yves Bissouma could slot straight into the midfield, having been suspended for Tottenham’s opener after being caught on video inhaling laughing gas. Bissouma’s return could provide a timely boost for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Alongside Bentancur, backup goalkeeper Fraser Forster is also sidelined with a foot injury. Meanwhile, goalscorer Porro picked up a foot or ankle problem in the second half of the draw against Leicester, although Postecoglou did not provide any further updates on his condition after the match.
Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the difference maker for Everton in their behind-closed-doors win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in 2020, but fast forward to last weekend, and neither he nor his teammates could stem the tide against a rampant Brighton side. In a dismal showing at Goodison Park, Everton were soundly beaten 3-0, with Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, and Simon Adingra all breaching a porous Toffees’ defense.
Adding to their woes, veteran defender Ashley Young received a straight red card for a last-man foul in the second half, compounding Everton’s miserable afternoon. As a result, Sean Dyche’s men find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table on goal difference after the heaviest defeat of the opening weekend – a match that Dyche himself labeled a “horrible game” to watch.
Everton’s August curse continues, as they have now gone three years without a Premier League win in the month, losing their last four August fixtures without scoring a single goal. On top of that, their away form makes for grim reading, with no victories on the road in the entirety of 2024. The Toffees have lost seven and drawn four of their last 11 Premier League away matches.
Despite a spirited 2-2 draw at Tottenham earlier this year, Everton’s winless streak against the North London side now stands at seven matches. As they prepare to face Spurs again, Dyche’s side will need to rediscover some resilience to avoid an early-season slump.
Team News
Everton will definitely need to make a change at right-back for their trip to Tottenham due to Ashley Young’s one-match ban following his red card. Dyche is facing a significant defensive crisis, with options severely limited.
Nathan Patterson will miss out with a thigh injury, and both James Garner and Seamus Coleman are doubts due to calf issues, leaving the coach with little choice but to consider Mason Holgate for the right-back position.
The defensive situation is further strained by Jarrad Branthwaite’s recent groin surgery, which might see him return soon, and Chermiti’s recovery from a foot procedure is expected to take several weeks. With such a depleted backline, Everton will have to rely on makeshift solutions and hope to shore up their back line as well as possible.
Conclusion
Tottenham missed several chances against Leicester and should be determined to improve their finishing in this game. With Everton struggling defensively and missing key players, especially in midfield and at the back, Spurs are likely to capitalize on these weaknesses and book a comfortable win.
Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5
Best odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: 888sport
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