Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton v Tottenham Hotspur clash
Everton welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park on Sunday, and they will be hoping to avoid a fourth straight Premier League defeat.
The Toffees lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday following a 5-2 defeat to Watford and a 1-0 loss to West Ham United.
Defeat to Spurs will certainly see more fans turn against Rafa Benitez, and Mark Lawrenson does not see Everton picking up any points when Antonio Conte’s men come to Merseyside.
The BBC pundit is predicting a 2-1 win for the North Londoners, writing in his weekly column: “Everton are simply not as good going forward while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out injured, but on top of that they have got some real issues at the back.
“Antonio Conte is only just starting to get his teeth into turning this Tottenham team around, but I think they will be right at it here, as they try to impress their new manager.
“We will probably see Spurs playing with wing-backs, operating high up the pitch, but what I am really waiting to see is whether he can get a song out of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min up front.”
Tough
Conte has taken charge of just one game since joining Tottenham, but he has the ability to make an immediate impact on his players and will be looking to get a reaction from them against Everton.
Benitez could not get one from his men at the Midlands despite their thrashing at the hands of the Hornets at Goodison Park.
With the new manager bounce likely to get Spurs firing ahead of the weekend, the Toffees boss needs to find a way to get his men inspired for a game he simply cannot afford to lose.
Injuries have not helped, but the fans will never see that as an excuse, and Everton have to deliver.
A defeat heading into the international break would not do the morale of the team any good as they resume action with a trip to Manchester City.
The Blues need to bounce back on Sunday, and if Rafa gets his tactics and selection right, a victory over Tottenham is definitely possible.
In other Everton news, Toffees trio has returned to full training ahead of Spurs clash.
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