Michael Owen predicts Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur clash
Everton host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and they will be looking to avoid a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat when Antonio Conte’s men visit Goodison Park.
Losses to West Ham United, Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen some of the Toffees fans turn against Rafa Benitez, and the Spaniard will be keen to prevent a third home loss on the bounce.
Michael Owen reckons Everton can pick up all three points against Spurs with new manager Conte still trying to get his side in order.
He told BetVictor: “That’s now three defeats in a row for Rafa’s Blues and believe me, the pressure is firmly back on him. They showed some spirit in the second half at Molineux on Monday, but the first half was nowhere near good enough.
“Spurs’ performance against United last week was terrible. To not have a single shot on target when you are at home is poor and clearly the board had seen enough. Antonio Conte is a proven winner, but how quickly can he transform this side?
“This feels like a huge game for Benitez, and I think Everton will narrowly edge it. Conte won’t have had enough time to get this Spurs side sorted, so I’m thinking it will be 2-1 Everton.”
Fair enough
Benitez is yet to get a reaction from his side after their last two losses, and he will be looking to finally get one following a tepid first-half at Wolves on Monday.
Everton were a much-improved side in the second-half against the Midlands outfit, but it was too little, too late as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss.
Playing Spurs with Nuno Espirito Santo still in charge would have given the Blues fans a lot of hope, but the North Londoners are set to become a different team under their Italian manager, and Sunday’s clash will be an opportunity for some of the players to prove themselves to the new boss.
Everton remain without some of their key players, and injuries have continued to hurt their chances of picking up much-needed points so far this term.
They need to be on top form against Tottenham, though, and a victory is possible if Benitez gets his tactics right, and most importantly, gets a reaction from a crop of players who have failed to get the basics right in recent games.
In other Everton news, an injured Toffees ace is expected to return after int’l break amid fresh update.
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