Here is how Tottenham could line up against Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It is now or never for Tottenham Hotspur as they host Everton on the final day of the season with survival on the line.
Spurs’ fight for survival has gone down to the final day after they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this week. The result left them 17th in the Premier League table, two points above 18th-placed West Ham United, who face Leeds United at home on the judgement day.
Roberto De Zerbi and Co. know they will be fine if they avoid defeat to Everton, but that will certainly not be the mindset of the hosts. The Italian has urged his players to play with pride and courage against Everton and achieve the objective on Sunday. The Toffees will be raring to put smiles back on the faces of the travelling contingent and get a result after their disappointing home defeat last week to Sunderland.
That said, here is the predicted Tottenham lineup for their final game of the campaign against Everton.
Goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky
Guglielmo Vicario returned to full fitness since undergoing hernia surgery at the start of the March international, but De Zerbi chose to stick with Antonin Kinsky in goal. Kinsky has deputised very well in Vicario’s absence, and come Sunday, the 23-year-old is expected to start in goal again.
Defence: Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie
In front of Kinsky, we are not expected to see any changes in the back four that started at Chelsea. This means Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie will all retain their spots in the starting XI.
Van de Ven and Danso have to be at their best to contain Beto, who is Everton’s top scorer with nine goals this season. Porro and Udogie continue to perform well as the full-backs, although we have generally seen Djed Spence, who suffered a broken jaw after a collision with Chelsea striker Liam Delap earlier this week but is fit to play, replace Udogie in the second half of games. A similar pattern might continue.
Midfield: Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, Conor Gallagher
Tottenham’s midfield was outsmarted and overrun for large periods against Chelsea. The likes of Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Conor Gallagher couldn’t really control the game and create chances for the forwards.
Yet, De Zerbi is unlikely to ring any changes to his midfield unit. Several fans would like to see James Maddison start against Everton after his impactful cameos, but the playmaker, having just returned from an ACL injury, is expected to start on the bench again. As former Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy notes, Maddison remains a game-changer for our side.
Attack: Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Mathys Tel
Randal Kolo Muani delivered another shocking display in a Tottenham shirt. It was his stray pass that led to Chelsea’s goal before getting substituted, sinking to another low. However, with a lack of options in forward areas of the pitch due to injuries, don’t be surprised if the Frenchman starts again on the right wing.
Mathys Tel has been a mainstay on the left flank since Xavi Simons tore his ACL last month. The Frenchman has to play with more responsibility and deliver the goods on the final day to help Tottenham stay in the top flight. Leading the attack will be none other than Richarlison, who took his season’s tally to 12 goals with a consolation against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Even if Dominic Solanke recovers from his hamstring injury in time, he will be on the bench.