In the aftermath of a heart-wrenching EFL Cup elimination, Everton is set to embark on a southern journey to face Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's Premier League showdown.
Tottenham enters the contest on a high note, securing a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the previous week.
This win marked consecutive triumphs in the top flight, with Tottenham displaying resilience by sealing the victory at the City Ground despite playing the final 20 minutes with only 10 players on the pitch.
Dejan Kulusevski's precision cross to Richarlison and a subsequent exploit of a defensive error by Matt Turner paved the way for Tottenham's success.
Yves Bissouma's unnecessary red card marred the performance, but the Lilywhites, under the helm of Ange Postecoglou, emerged victorious, marking the end of Steve Cooper's tenure in the Forest dugout.
Tottenham, currently occupying the fifth spot, aims to reclaim a Champions League position with a win, especially with Manchester City engaged in Club World Cup pursuits.
The hosts exhibit impressive scoring prowess, netting in each of their last 17 Premier League home matches and boasting a 29-game scoring streak in the top flight, the longest active run in the league.
On the other side, Everton's journey has been a tale of unexpected positivity. Overcoming relegation fears and a 10-point deduction, the club has won five of the last six matches, maintaining a clean sheet in four consecutive outings. Despite their 16th position in the table, Everton's 8-2-7 record places them in ninth, level with Brighton and four points ahead of Chelsea.
The clash presents a challenge for Spurs, facing an Everton side in formidable form. While the visitors may not be the favorites, top clubs must find ways to secure victories regardless of their opponents' form. This encounter promises to be a compelling battle on Saturday.
Possible Prediction line-ups
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro; Romero; Davies; Royal: Hojbjerg; Sarr; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Richarlison
Everton: Pickford; Patterson; Tarkowski; Branthwaite, Mykolenko: Harrison; Onana, Garner; Gueye, McNeil, Beto
Event details
NAME: Tottenham Hotspur - Everton
DATE: 23 Dec 2023
TIME: 15:00 UTC
VENUE: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England