A Wembley debut for Cenk Tosun?
Merseyside comes to North London this weekend as Tottenham welcome Everton to Wembley Stadium for a premiership clash on Saturday evening, with new boy Tosun in tow.
Everton’s rivals Liverpool host rampaging leaders Manchester City on Sunday. Spurs could sneak into the Champions League places with a commanding win over a team they haven’t lost to in five years.
Mauricio Pochettino is looking for Harry Kane to continue his habit of netting braces against the Toffees. The goal ace has done so in each of their last two meetings. Spurs opened their account with a 3-0 away win at Goodison Park this season, a comfortable victory over the Merseyside team.
With the services of both Erik Lamela and Victor Wanyama now available, Pochettino will have more options than of late. The pair remained unscathed following their respective returns.
Transfer talk a thorn in Rose’s side?
Midfield stalwart Mousa Dembele and Harry Winks both continue to nurse ankle injuries, but are expected to be available.
There is little news on Danny Rose, still recovering from his long term injury, and once again linked to a move. Though Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy has today told Sky Sport that Spurs will not be selling their stars, he said;
“I am a hundred percent confident that no players we want to keep will be sold this summer”.
Spurs have also confirmed the return of much missed Toby Alderweireld is at least a month away.
Home fans will be looking to see more of a game than in many of their clashes. Narrow wins and turgid draws have become almost the norm, ties like those with West Brom, Watford and fellow Londoners West Ham.
Parking ‘buses’ is the now common term for said tactical approach. Clubs seemingly happy to leave with a point. Not confined by any means to Spurs’ matches alone. Many sides have now adopted this defensive play, most recently José Mourinho’s Man Utd. There has been press debate on the topic in the last few days.
Travelling Toffees though, should be looking to break their no win deadlock with Spurs. To perhaps seek revenge for the opening home loss against their opponents. Three points on the road would be a good day at the office, pulling further away from the danger that had loomed in the autumn.
Premiership debut for Tosun?
Sam Allardyce is likely to hand a debut to new striker Cenk Tosun, who completed a £27 million transfer from Besiktas to Merseyside last week. Tosun is known for his aerial duels and strong finish, the forward likes to cut inside and will be an unknown force should he get his start.
The Everton boss is sweating on the fitness of injured Michael Keane, but is positive of a timely recovery. He has confirmed Seamus Coleman is back in training, though not to start. Coleman returns following a ten month absence, after breaking a leg whilst on Irish International duty. Elsewhere, Leighton Baines and Maarten Stekelenburg are also sidelined.
Everton have enjoyed better success over recent weeks, following a somewhat turbulent time for the Toffees. Since the opening home loss against this weekends opponents, there have been sticky times for The Toffees. A poor run of results, just two wins in thirteen, saw them in the bottom three by mid October.
The final straw came in the form of a 5-2 home loss to Arsenal. Then manager Ronald Koeman was sacked, and the side put into the hands of caretaker David Undsworth. Six weeks later, ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce was appointed to find an Everton side keeping better form.
Everton are in a respectable ninth place now, a vast improvement under the wing of Big Sam, renowned for aiding ailing sides. With a realistic challenge for a Europa League Place, Everton should be looking to take all three points from the Wembley Turf.
Tottenham Hotspur V Everton takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12th October at 17.30. Live coverage by Sky Sport in the UK and Ireland.
To all Evertonians! I am so excited to be an Everton player! I can’t wait to get started in the Blue shirt! #COYB! 👍⚽️🔵💙 pic.twitter.com/EaHrirykAQ
— Cenk Tosun (@CenkTosun_) January 6, 2018
