Spurs v Everton - e-Football Preview

Article by e-Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis

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Everton rarely get games as big as this mid-season. . . Unless they are Merseyside derbies but let's not talk about that. With Liverpool facing Arsenal on Saturday it is feasible that Everton could end the weekend in 4th place but Everton have not won in their last five visits to White Hart Lane so a win will be difficult. But from what we have seen from Martinez so far this season, a win will be exactly what he is looking for. It will be interesting to see how Spurs line-up. 4-4-2 could play right into Everton's hands and would give great cause for optimism. Barry, McCarthy and Barkley have been magnificent for Everton this year and would expect them to be dominant against the Tottenham midfield unless they play three players in this area as well which would make for an intriguing battle.

You feel in this match that Everton will need to create plenty of chances to score. Mirallas played up-front for Everton in the last match vs Aston Villa and it didn't really work with Everton's on form Belgian not able to influence the game as much from that role. The introduction of Steven Naismith allowed him to get more involved and secure a win for the blues. Playing Mirallas or Naismith in that position is a question of having your most talented players on the pitch or having a balanced team. The later certainly worked in the end against Villa. The game will most likely come a bit too soon to see Lacina Traore make his debut.

Ross Barkley got taken off against Villa at half-time for 'tactical reasons'. Part of those tactical reason were most likely the fitness of Barkley following his recovery from his fractured toe. I expect him to play against Tottenham and especially if they afford him space in midfield, he could again be a real threat. If Spurs were to play Paulinho and Dembele, it would be dangerous to play Leon Osman as he usually gets bullied by such powerful midfielders.

Injuries have seen a large source of pain for Everton in recent months but there is looking to be at least some light at the end of the tunnel. Everton should once again be able to field their strongest defence as well as a strong midfield. Question marks remain over Pienaar and McGeady's fitness over 90 minutes but the return of Gerard Deulofeu is a more than welcome return. I wouldn't expect the wonder kid to start the game but could be used as an impact substitute later on, especially if McGeady or Pienaar start to tire.

Sunday could also prove to be Kyle Walker's toughest test of the season. Baines and Pienaar were exceptional against Aston Villa in the second half and Everton will hope for the same link up play here. Also down the right McGeady/Mirallas and Coleman could prove the be a real handful in what most would consider Tottenham's weak link.

With Adebayor in form and the plethora of midfielders they have to choose from it should be an exciting and close match. Both teams would probably be content to leave with a draw but a win would be huge for both teams. It remains to be seen if the Hull game was an off day or if Spurs have been affected by the big loss to Manchester City. Tim Sherwood got off to a decent start but they honeymoon period would be surely over with a defeat to Everton, if it wasn't already. With Louis van Gaal breathing down his neck, Sherwood needs a win against the likes of Everton to regain support of Levy and the fans.

Martinez on the other hand has seemingly made everyone forget the humiliating defeat to Liverpool as Everton have appeared to be in publicity overdrive since the loss with 'fan days', new sponsorship announcements, season ticket pricing, new contracts signed and new players unveiled. What was most important was a win and he duly got that in a superb tactical display last Saturday. He'll have to show the same nous to get past Tottenham Hotspur, but if Everton do, it'll get the fans to really start believing again.

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