‘Seriously impressive’ – Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton clash v Tottenham
Mark Lawrenson has backed Tottenham to come away with all three points against Everton in the Premier League opener on Sunday.
The BBC pundit claimed that despite the Toffees midfield looking “seriously impressive”, they still lack firepower in the final third.
Carlo Ancelotti will be wanting more support for Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin who were the top-scorers by miles in Merseyside last season.
Lawrenson claimed that neither will make the top-four this season, but that Spurs should win 2-1 in the capital.
“Everton’s midfield is starting to look seriously impressive after Carlo Ancelotti’s recent recruitment drive, but they still look short of firepower,” he wrote for the BBC.
“Tottenham are also taking shape under Jose Mourinho and they have done good business over the summer too. I still think they need a proper back-up for Harry Kane, though.
“I’d go with Spurs to edge this one, but I don’t see either team making the top four this season.”
Given the result and performance in the same fixture after lockdown last season, it is no surprise to see many back Tottenham in this one.
Everton were lazy, and they were easily swept aside by Spurs, which is something that they can’t do in the season opener.
As Lawrenson said, a midfield three of Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez is impressive and they should bring much-needed quality and urgency which can only help the Toffees.
Spurs have only brought in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Matt Doherty, and Ancelotti will be looking to take advantage of that – something Lawrenson predicts won’t be happening.
In other Everton news, Toffees forward claims Ancelotti wants him to stay amid interest from elsewhere