Premier League preview: Tottenham v Everton

Tottenham can move level with second-placed Manchester United on Wednesday if they win their clash with Everton at White Hart Lane.

The game had originally been due to take place on the season’s opening weekend until rioting in London forced its postponement, and since then Spurs have stamped themselves as one of the teams to watch in the English Premier League.

Despite starting their season on the wrong end of hidings at the hands of the Manchester powerhouses, Harry Redknapp’s men went on to win 10 out of their next 11 league matches, with the only blemish a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

Since a 2-1 defeat at Stoke on December 12, Spurs are unbeaten in their last five league games, and they head into Wednesday’s clash on the back of a 3-0 win over League Two side Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Standing in their way will be an Everton side stung by their last effort in the league, a 2-1 loss on Wednesday at home to Bolton, who were then occupying the bottom rung on the league table.

Consistency has been the catch cry of the Goodison Park faithful, but as yet David Moyes’ men have been unable to deliver, although since losing seven out of 10 league games between September 24 and December 10, results had steadied before the Bolton effort.

In their most recent performance, goals from Johnny Heitinga and Leighton Baines saw them to a 2-0 win over Conference National club Tamworth in the FA Cup.

Both managers have fitness worries over key personnel, with Moyes’ squad particularly hard hit.

Phil Jagielka is out for around six weeks with a knee injury, while Seamus Coleman limped off with a thigh strain in the second-half of the Tamworth match.

There are also concerns over Tim Cahill (groin), Ross Barkley (knee), Leon Osman (knee) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring).

Redknapp also has troubling news from his fitness staff to contend with, as midfielder Sandro and defender William Gallas both struggle to overcome calf injuries.

Scott Parker (knee) and Ledley King (hamstring) are others under fitness clouds.