What must Spurs do to avoid defeat to top-four rivals Everton?
Published:Tottenham have played at home to four of their six rivals to a top-four finish, and won none of them. Two of those games, against Manchester City and Liverpool, ended in embarrassingly heavy defeats.
In fact, Spurs haven’t claimed three points at home against any of the sides in the top 10 and with Everton setting off for a Champions League-defining visit to north London there are lessons that must be learnt in order to prevail, at 21/20.
Keep things level until the break
The stats show that Spurs simply have no fight in them when they go into the break behind. It’s been the case six times in the league, three of which were at home including both the Liverpool and City defeats, and they’re yet to come back to win.
On the flip side of the coin, Everton have been listening to Roberto Martinez’s half-time words as leaders seven times this season, having gone on to win six of those games and are yet to lose.
Throw caution to the wind
Andre Villas-Boas lost his job after the Liverpool hammering, having used one striker the entire season and refusing to budge on that approach.
Since then, Tim Sherwood has remained unbeaten in the league when using 4-4-2, including a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
The last time he reverted back to the one man front line? The 5-1 loss to City.
Stay disciplined
It seems trivial, but just by keeping their heads Tottenham can cut off one of Everton’s main supply of goals.
The Toffees are the most fouled team in the league this season and, with the likes of Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas in their side, have capitalised fully.
Their 11 goals from set pieces ranks as the third most in the division this season, while they’ve managed just the sixth most from open play.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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