The English Premier League’s 2016/17 opening day features an intriguing matchup at Goodison Park in Liverpool where Everton will be hosting London’s Tottenham Hotspur. Everton endured a disappointing 2015/16 season which cost former manager Roberto Martinez his job while Tottenham suffered a late season collapse to lose their runners-up position to arch rivals Arsenal.
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur – Pinnacle Soccer Betting Line:
- Pinnacle currently lists Tottenham as the favorite to win the game at +150 with Everton +204 and a draw at +243
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur – Head to Head:
These two teams met twice in the Premier League last season and played to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane in August and a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in January. The clubs have met 171 times in the past with Tottenham winning 63, losing 55 and drawing the other 53. Everton is winless in the last seven encounters with four draws and three losses. Their last victory was 2-1 at home in a Premier League outing in December of 2012. They’ve won just three of the last 16 meetings along with seven draws and six defeats.
Everton FC – A Closer Look:
Everton finished in 11th place in the 20-team league last season with 47 points from 11 victories, 14 draws and 13 defeats. They scored 59 goals and allowed 55 against. Dutchman Ronald Koeman, who was with Southampton last year, has taken over from the fired Roberto Martinez as the team’s new manager. He’s been pretty busy in the current transfer window as Bassala Sambou was acquired from Coventry City, Chris Renshaw came over from Oldham Athletic, goaltender Maarten Stekelenburg joined from Fulham and Idrissa Gana Gueye was signed from Aston Villa.
In addition, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert were released while American goaltender Tim Howard joined the Colorado Rapids in his homeland and John Stones was sold to Manchester City in a multi-million-pound move. Romelu Lukaku, last year’s top scorer for Everton, is questionable for the opening game while defenders Muhamed Basic and Tyias Browning are both expected to miss the game with injuries. Everton may also end up losing Belgian international striker Lukaku in the current transfer window as he’s been linked to a return to Chelsea or Arsenal in London. Everton enters the game following a 1-0 loss to Spanish side Espanyol in their last preseason outing.
Tottenham Hotspur – A Closer Look:
Tottenham held onto second place in the Premier League last season, but a couple of late-campaign defeats saw them fall to third with 70 points from 19 wins, 13 draws and six losses. They scored 69 goals and conceded 35 allowed. They took part in this summer’s International Champions Cup and lost both of their matches in Australia 2-1 to Italian champions Juventus and 1-0 to Spain’s Atletico Madrid. Spurs’ manager Mauricio Pochettino has acquired a couple of players in the summer transfer window as they signed Victor Wanyama from Southampton and Vincent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar.
English international striker Harry Kane led the club in scoring last year and finished second overall in the league while newcomer Janssen is expected to help him out. The defense looks good with Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier of England along with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen of Belgium. The midfield also appears to be strong with newcomer Wanyama joining Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Nacer Chadli. Midfielder Heung-Min Son will miss the game as he’s playing in the summer Olympics while defender Jan Vertonghen is questionable due to injury and midfielder Mousa Dembele is suspended.
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur – Takeaway:
Everton should do better this season with Ronald Koeman as manager and Tottenham should once again challenge for a top-four spot.
by Ian S. Palmer