Tottenham v Everton Preview: Spurs stars sidelined as Moyes sweats on Mirallas

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

White Hart Lane, Sunday April 7th; kick off 14:05. Ref: Andre Marriner
Live on ESPN

Spurs have a mini-crisis after Gareth Bale’s ankle injury, Jermain Defoe still sidelined, and Aaron Lennon and William Gallas recovering from injuries they also suffered against Basel on Thursday night.  For Everton, it’s more of a suspension crisis as star players Fellaini and Pienaar sit out, while last week’s match-winner Kevin Mirallas could recover from a groin injury suffered against Stoke.

In their last meeting at Goodison Park, Everton managed to score two late goals to win the match at the death.  The same thing happened again to Tottenham just down the road away to Liverpool. The Lilywhiltes are in a great position to finish in the top 4 and need to get their momentum going again for the run in.

Everton have now won three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since January 2010, with all of those games being at Goodison.  Only the Manchester teams have a better home record than Everton (33 points from 16 games).  In contrast, David Moyes’ team have not won in their last three matches away from home in the Premier League (lost 2, drawn 1).

At this same stage last season, Harry Redknapp’s Spurs were a point better off than this season under AVB.  Everton’s Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic likes playing against Tottenham, having scored in both of his appearances against Spurs, but just the once in his last 14 Premier League matches.

Spurs will again be leggy from a Thursday night Europa League match, so the Toffees will have a better chance of emulating Fulham’s rare win at White Hart Lane.  The injuries to Bale, Lennon and Gallas could prove to be decisive.  Spurs will also need to contain the dangerous and in-form Leighton Baines.  Everton look good value for an away win.