So the Premier League fixtures are around the corner and for the Lilly-Whites, a trip to the Goodison Park has been scheduled for this Saturday. The teams are looking confident and the managers are doing their jobs on and off the field as they get started with another long Premier League season. Everton had a torrid time last season as they were unable to finish in the top half of the table, but now with Ronald Koeman at their side, an improvement is expected.
On the other hand, Tottenham, who finished their 2015-16 campaign in the third spot, will be looking to challenge for the title for the second successive season. Talking about the transfers, the Lilly-Whites have done a little, yet an effective business so far. The new signing Victor Wanyama is expected to start the game, while the other acquisition, Vincent Janssen is believed to make a cameo appearance.
For Everton, the side recently sold their star defender John Stones on a thumping £47.5m deal to Manchester City, and soon after that, the Toffees bought Wales skipper, Ashley Williams. Besides him, the new arrival from Aston Villa, Idrissa Gueye is expected to feature in the game as well.
The last time these two sides met at the Goodison Park, the game ended in a 1-1 draw, where the former Tottenham man Aaron Lennon opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, and Dele Alli denied his strike just before the halftime. There is no doubt that the game is going to be a great encounter and the arrival of Koeman has made it tastier.
So, here we give you three key battles that will decide Tottenham’s gave against Everton:
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Alderweireld vs Lukaku-
The Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld was one of the best performers in the league last season and so was Everton’s Lukaku. The 23-year-old scored 25 goals for his side last season and will be looking to build on that. The striker’s participation in the game is currently in doubt as he has sustained a cut to his heel, but if he appears, then it would be an utter headache for his counterpart.
Both the players are at the peak of their careers currently and both are capable of giving each other a run for their money. While the one is fast as flash, the other is tough as a rock. With Lukaku playing as a lone striker, Toby will be looking to cut the comedy for his national teammate.
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Kane vs Jagielka-
It was expected that Everton’s new arrival Ashley Williams will feature in the game, but the manager recently quoted that the game against Tottenham Hotspur will come too soon for the player. And now, with Williams no longer an option, the manager will surely go with the veteran defender Phil Jagielka, who has been declared fit for the fixture.
The 33-year-old defender, who recently was linked to Sunderland, will be facing the wrath of Tottenham’s number one, Harry Kane. The striker played two wonderful seasons with the club and will be looking forward to replicate the same form. He currently is in his prime form, while Jagielka has only returned from his injury, hence, the attacker could easily make something very best out of it.
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Baines vs Lamela-
The 31-year-old English defender, who recently lost his place to Bryan Oviedo, might get his chance to feature in the game. Unarguably, he is Everton’s most decorated player, but thanks to the constant injury crisis, he missed quite a games last season. The defender is one of the best playmakers Everton have got and besides that, he always makes himself an ever-present personnel when the team needs him most.
But this unarguably will be his toughest tests as he will be facing Erik Lamela, who has been Tottenham’s best performer in the pre-season. The Argentine is known for his pace and trickery and so is Baines, hence, this will be a battle to keep an eye on.
