Everton take on Tottenham Hotspur tonight at Goodison Park, with both side eager to take all three points for very different reasons.
Tottenham remain title contenders after the Christmas period and remain unbeaten in 9 Premier League games; their longest run since March 1999. They now sit 4th in the Premier League table and they arrive on Goodison Park knowing that they haven’t lost there during their last 6 visits. A win tonight will further strengthen Tottenham’s hope of qualifying for next season Champions League, the second year in succession. New Signing Rafael Van Der Vart has been at the front of Tottenham’s performances recently. Not only is the Dutch running the show from midfield with fellow playmaker Luka Modric, but he has also found scoring form netting 8 goals in 14 Premier League matches.
It’s a different story for the home team however, who desperately need a win with them hovering 2 points above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand. The Toffees have had a somewhat up and down season. Highlights include scoring two goals in the last minute to draw with Manchester United, a heroic derby day victory against neighbours and fellow strugglers Liverpool and a win away against Manchester City with ten men. But they have also suffered their fair share of losses with defeats to Stoke, West Brom and Newcastle. Nobody can doubt Everton team spirit and work ethic while their performances have been positive overall, however, their strikers cannot seem to find the net this season and it is midfielder Tim Cahill who is the clubs leading goal scorer with 9 Premier League goals under his belt.
Everton have had their fair share of injuries and suspensions during the season and tonight will be without the talismanic Tim Cahill who has flow out to join up with the Australian National squad for the Asia Cup, Phil Jagielka is out with a hamstring problem and there are doubts over the fitness of Dutch defender John Heitinga and young Irish prospect Seamus Coleman. Tottenham has no new Injury concerns to worry about with defenders Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate sill out while Jermaine Defoe and Younes Kaboul are still missing through suspension.
Tonight encounter is set to be a feisty affair as these two traditional clubs battle it out under the Goodison floodlights.
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