Premier League preview: Everton v Tottenham

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is confident his side can arrest their form slump and finish third in the English Premier League this season.

Spurs – who now sit just four points ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal – have won just two of their past seven Premier League fixtures and face a tricky trip to Everton in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Everton are unbeaten in their past eight matches with home wins against Manchester City and Chelsea suggesting the Goodison Park fixture will be a tough one for Tottenham.

But Redknapp is confident and is adamant his side can finish third, a position which would give them automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

“We’re still in pole position,” Redknapp said.

“I still fancy us to finish third. That 10-point lead has suddenly become four points and we’ve got some hard games to come. We go to Everton and we’ve got Chelsea away.”

“It’s going to be tight but I’d still rather be where we are than Arsenal. We’re four points in front and we’ve still got a big chance.”

“I’m looking to finish third, not fourth. I’d be disappointed if we finished fourth.”

Tottenham returned to the winners’ list with a 3-1 victory over third-tier outfit Stevenage in a fifth-round FA Cup replay on Wednesday.

Jermain Defoe scored a brace for the winners while Emmanuel Adebayor converted from the penalty spot.

But the win was soured by the injuries suffered by defender Michael Dawson and winger Aaron Lennon.

Dawson was stretchered off with a serious leg injury while Lennon pulled up with a hamstring problem.

They join David Bentley (knee), Jermaine Jenas (Achilles), and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) on the Tottenham injury list but Louis Saha (knee) is likely to return.

Everton’s Victor Anichebe (groin) could make a first-team return but Darron Gibson (knee) is not expected back for another fortnight for the hosts.

Everton’s last Premier League match ended in a 1-1 draw at QPR but their recent home form will give them confidence ahead of Tottenham’s visit.

They have conceded just three goals in their plast five matches at Goodison Park and will be hopeful that seven-million-pound signing Nikica Jelavic can score his first goal for the club.

If David Moyes’ side are to win the game though, they will need to rectify a poor record at home against Tottenham in recent times.

Of the last seven meetings at Goodison, Everton have won just once.