Preview: Tottenham Hotspur prepares to take Everton
After their 4-3 UEFA Champions League loss against Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur will return to English Premier League duty when they take on Everton at White Hart Lane on Saturday, 23 October.
The sides have enjoyed contrasting fortunes so far this season. While Spurs have been enjoying the opportunity to test themselves against Europe’s elite clubs and are currently sitting in fifth place, equal on points with Arsenal and Manchester United, Everton
struggled at the beginning of the campaign, sitting in 11th place with only nine points.
Everton returning to form
Everton has started to return to form, having won their last two games against Birmingham City (who had not lost at home in over a year) and against Liverpool at home, the first time they had won against their bitter rivals in four attempts.
A deeper look into the form book suggests that Spurs should pick up the points here. The statistics make for compelling reading and add extra spice to what should be an enthralling contest between two of the league’s best clubs outside the traditional top
four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Everton has not won two away games in a row since May 2009, and failed to win any of their first 14 games at White Hart Lane. They won the next three, but lost last season’s match.
When these facts are combined with Spurs’ defensive strength, the signs point towards Harry Redknapp having the mental advantage.
Spurs have conceded just one goal in their last seven EPL matches, while just one visiting team, Manchester United in 2009, has scored more than one goal in the last 40 league games at White Hart Lane.
But Everton are traditionally slow starters. They have one more point than they did at this stage of the campaign in 2008-09, when they finished fifth.
Rafael van der Vaart starts Spurs career strongly
Spurs made one of the most eye-catching signings of the summer when they brought in Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid. The eight million-pound fee he commanded already looks to be a bargain price for such a talented player. He has gotten his EPL career
off to a flying start at White Hart Lane, having netted four goals in three matches across all competitions at the stadium. He has also shot at the goal on an average of every 21.7 minutes, making him the fastest shooter in the league.
As well as striking himself, van der Vaart will be entrusted to provide service for Peter Crouch, who is likely to start in the absence of injured Jermain Defoe. Though the former Southampton, Liverpool and Portsmouth striker has failed to find the back
of the net domestically this season, he has struck four times in two UEFA Champions League matches.
Winger in outstanding form
Additional support for the forwards will come in the form of winger Gareth Bale, who is in the form of his life. The Welshman has been performing terrifically for club and country over the past few weeks and has netted six goals in ten games across all competitions,
including a sensational hat-trick against Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Everton will be looking to Tim Cahill to provide service for the attackers and to score himself. The Australian midfielder has been in outstanding form this campaign, having scored four goals in seven league games.
Cahill will line up behind Nigeria international Victor Anichebe. The Goodison Park youth product has netted once so far in the league this season.
Additional support will come from young Irishman Seamus Coleman, who has taken advantage of injuries to other players to make his mark on the first team. The defender has been employed as a winger in recent games and turned provider for Cahill’s opener in
the win over Liverpool.
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