Everton's injury woes won't cost all three points
Two distinctly out of form sides face off in the Premier League on Friday night, and both will be desperate to win and put pressure on the automatic European places. Everton were held to a stalemate on Monday away to Brighton & Hove Albion, and were it not for poor finishing by the hosts, would've fallen to another poor result. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur's shocking record when going in front this season once again reared its proverbial head, and the defence collapsed under pressure from Manchester United. A win for the Toffees would temporarily put them to within a point of Liverpool in sixth with a game in hand by the time the weekend is over. A squad in greater harmony should take advantage of Spurs' obvious weaknesses. Read our preview here:
Rich pickings
With four players already out of contention before their meeting with the Seagulls, a further four are doubts for Friday, with Colombian centre back Yerry Mina coming off on the hour mark in addition to the huge number above. Assuming the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joshua King are still unavailable, there will be a paucity of natural options to partner Richarlison up top. James Rodríguez' qualities are well-known, but more typically as a foil than a striker in his own right. The lack of a natural focus up front might inadvertently help Carlo Ancelotti's cause. The visitors have been really weak in terms of staying solid, and the tendencies of both forwards to not adopt the natural movements of most contemporaries, and that could mean greater space and chances for the runners from midfield.
A Rod for his own back
The centre back duo of Eric Dier and Joe Rodon were cruelly exposed by the Red Devils' counter-attacking play, and neither of them are a natural leader. That could mean Toby Alderweireld is restored to the starting XI in place of the former, and it will be up to him to help the Welsh international out, remaining as steadfast as possible in the face of clever movement and roaming wing-backs in blue. Elsewhere, only Harry Kane and to a lesser extent Heung-min Son are in any kind of form, but despite their qualities, they need more sustained support from their teammates to take and then increase the leads they manage to get themselves into.
Mou-rose
Head coach José Mourinho simply does not have the elite quality in defence to play the pressure soaking strategy, but is extremely reluctant to seek out a new strategy. At the time of writing, only an unlikely reversal of fortunes will see them in European football next season, and whether that comes through the League Cup final against Manchester City or an improvement in their league position is up for debate. Everton are missing far more personnel, but don't have the same toxic atmosphere hanging over them. Psychology is as key to results as individual and collective skill, and betway have odds of 3.30 for the Merseyside outfit to deepen Spurs' woes.
