This has been a good Christmas for Tottenham and they can boost their claims of an elusive Top 4 finish with a positive result at Everton today. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have launched themselves into the European reckoning with three straight wins over the Christmas period including a narrow success at Watford with a last minute goal, and they sit ahead of Manchester United even after their late win.
Goodison Park is one of the tougher places to go in the league, especially with Everton boasting such skill, power and pace in the shape of Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Delofeu, Ross Barkley, and Leighton Baines, but their defence has been a problem with have the worst home defensive record in the league, conceding 19 goals in their 10 games and keeping just one clean sheet (against Aston Villa).
A major threat going forward, they can often find their progress clancelled out by sloppy defending and in Harry Kane – who has already proven himself to be more than a one season wonder – Erik Lamela and Christan Eriksen Spurs have the players to break through a midfield missing James McCarthy and the visitors’ own heavy pressing could be perfect for facing an Everton side that love to attack their opponents home or away.
The Toffees have a fine record against bottom half sides – they are unbeaten – but Spurs are no basement dwellers and Everton’s record against top half sides reads 0 from 10 attempts, which becomes 0-7 at home. Spurs have lost once away this season, an opening day defeat at Old Trafford which came thanks to an unlucky own goal, and since they have not failed to score and they have failed to lose in any subsequent trip, including visits to the current 1-2 of Arsenal and Leicester.
Spurs look the worthy favourites here, but have almost as many draw as they do wins, and share the record for the most draws with Everton this season so far so the draw no bet option looks a sound strategy given that it was a last minute goal that won them three points against Watford.
Advice
1 pt Tottenham (13/8 general)
3 pts Tottenham draw no bet (10/11 general)
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