Best Odds: 6/4
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Opening the new campaign in North London this weekend, Tottenham will host a new-look Everton side from behind closed doors on Sunday afternoon.
Tottenham
Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might have managed to open their pre-season preparations with three wins on the bounce, Jose Mourinho s men will be looking to bounce back from their shock defeat across the capital last week. Hit with a 2-1 defeat against recently relegated Watford at Vicarage Road, there is no doubt that the former Manchester United boss will be glad to make a return to home soil on Sunday afternoon. Really enjoying an end of season purple patch and managing to secure a top-six finish at the final hour, Spurs enjoyed a six-match Premier League unbeaten run earlier in the summer. Last seen on home soil putting in what was a thumping display, Tottenham picked up a shock 3-0 romp against Leicester and they will also be boosted by Harry Kane s return from international duty. While the Three Lions skipper might have had a quiet time away with Gareth Southgate s squad, the 26-year-old did sign off the 2019/2020 campaign with five goals in his final three appearances.
Team News
Tottenham s Japhet Tanganga has been ruled out with a thigh injury, while Giovani Lo Celso faces a fitness test on a hamstring strain.
Danny Rose will not be involved after he wasn t given a squad number for the new season.
Everton
As for the visitors, after having to settle for a bottom-half finish in what was a hugely disappointing campaign last season, there is no doubt that Everton have made their intentions clear this summer. Keeping to his word and promising new arrivals, new boss Carlo Ancelotti has brought in the likes of Allan, Abdoulaye Doucouré and most notably James Rodriguez earlier in the week. With it no secret that the former Napoli boss has his sights set on guiding the Toffees to a European return this time around, Everton will be desperate to hit the ground running in North London this weekend. However, really showing a string of issues earlier in the summer and having to settle for a 3-3 draw against League One Blackpool in a behind closed doors friendly last month, Sunday s guests managed to win just one of their final six Premier League contests, including a thumping 3-1 defeat at home against relegated Bournemouth. Without a win against Spurs since way back in 2012, Anceolitti s new-look squad could be in for a tough season opener as they travel South this weekend.
Team News
Everton s Mason Holgate is absent with a toe problem but Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina have overcome minor injuries.
New signings Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez are all available to make their debuts.
Key Factors to Consider
Landing a 1-0 win when the two sides faced off back in July, Tottenham are unbeaten against Everton since 2012.
Harry Kane signed off the 2019/2020 campaign with five goals in his final three appearances.
Everton managed to win just one of their final six Premier League contests last season, including a 3-1 defeat against Bournemouth on the last round of fixtures.
The Blues also lost four of their final six Premier League matchups away from Goodison Park.
Tottenham enjoyed a six-match top-flight unbeaten run at the end of the 2019/2020 campaign.
Conclusion
Although Tottenham might have signed off their pre-season preparations with a shock 2-1 defeat against recently relegated Watford, Spurs will be glad to make a return to home soil this weekend and will be hoping to lay down an early marker. While Everton might have made a handful of eye-catching arrivals over the past week, they did show some real issues earlier in the summer and their new-look squad might be in for a tricky opening test in their first game together. With Spurs landing a 1-0 win when the two sides faced off back in July, they re also unbeaten against the Blues since way back in 2012. We re backing Sunday s hosts to get off to a winning start in a contest that could be a low-scoring encounter this weekend.
Verdict: Tottenham win and under 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker:
