Premier League team news and prediction: Tottenham vs Everton
Sunday's second game pits two sides looking to gatecrash the top four against one another in London. Tottenham dropped out of the Champions League spots last season and will be looking to make an immediate return to Europe's elite club competition. Everton, too, are hoping Carlo Ancelotti can guide the Merseysiders to a top-four finish in his first full season at the Goodison Park helm.
When is kick off?
Sunday 13th September, 16:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event
2019/20 Season
Both teams swapped out their managers in the 2019/20 season, with Tottenham relieving Mauricio Pochettino of his duties in November before Everton called time on Marco Silva's managerial career on Merseyside in December. Now under the watchful eye of managerial icons Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, the pair will look to leave a lasting impression in the first full season at the respective helms.
For Spurs, Mourinho guided the north London side to a European finish following a six-game unbeaten run to see out 2019/20, which included a 1-0 home win over Everton, as they finished sixth. Everton ultimately finished the season 12th as they secured just one win in the final six matches of the campaign, but the pair will be hoping a fresh start will help provide them the ideal foundation for a fine 2020/21.
Summer Transfers
Tottenham have moved to rectify problem positions in the squad and have acted swiftly in the market, which is a surprise for the north London side. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg bolsters a midfield that needed investment, while Joe Hart adds experience in goal. At right-back, Matt Doherty is an upgrade on Serge Aurier as Spurs inject Premier League experience into the squad.
A week before the season began and Everton made their moves for three top targets. The midfield needed bolstering and the Toffees have done just that to bring in Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan from Watford and Napoli, respectively. Carlo Ancelotti reunites for the latter and the Italian's star pull reaped the rewards as Everton secured the services of James Rodriguez, who'll be working under Ancelotti for the third time in his career.
Team News
Jose Mourinho has few injury issues coming into Tottenham's first league game of the season. Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt with a hamstring complaint, but a final decision won't be taken until just before kick off on Sunday. Japhet Tanganga, though, is sidelined with a thigh problem, however opening weekend absentees are few and far between for Spurs.
In the Everton camp, centre-back Mason Holgate has a toe issue and is ruled out, with Yerry Mina expected to deputise. Andre Gomes has overcome a knock and is fit to feature in midfield. Cenk Tosun, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin all sit out the trip to the capital.
Possible XI
Tottenham (4231) - Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies; Hojbjerg, Winks; Moura, Dele, Son; Kane
Everton (4312) - Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Doucoure, Allan, Gomes; Rodriguez; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
Key Battle - Son vs Richarlison
Son Heung-Min was one of three players to register double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League last season as he gave another fine example of his attacking quality for this Tottenham side that ended the campaign sixth. From out wide or through the middle the South Korean star is a key attacking outlet for Spurs and he'll look to showcase his offensive talent on Sunday.
Like Son, Richarlison is effective from the right flank in a 4-2-3-1 or partnering Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the frontline. Calvert-Lewin may have drawn the adulation on the back of Carlo Ancelotti's December appointment, yet Richarlison is the star attacker for this Everton side. Having scored 13 league goals in each of his two Premier League seasons, he'll be looking to better than record for the Toffees, starting with the trip to Spurs.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Everton
