English Premier
2012-12-09 - Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 9 December 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Everton
With the likes of Arsenal and opponents Tottenham Hotspur not making a really strong start to the new season, Everton must have felt there was some room to perhaps take one of the Champions League places on offer. However, their first start has slowed down significantly with too many draws causing issues.
Everton are 6th in the Premier League with 23 points earned so far this season and that leaves them just 3 points behind 3rd placed Chelsea. However, their 8 League draws leads the rest of the League while only Manchester City have lost fewer League games. Everton are 3-4-0 at Goodison Park this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding 8 in those games.
The side have picked up 3 draws in a row as they come into this game and they have lost just 1 of their last 10 games in all competitions, although 7 of those handed in draws. Everton have drawn their last 2 home games against Norwich City and Arsenal and they now have 3 draws from their last 4 at Goodison Park.
Victor Anichebe and Phil Neville have been ruled out for this game, while the likes of Kevin Miralles and Seamus Coleman need to pass late fitness tests.
Tottenham Hotspur
Most Tottenham Hotspur fans I know keep telling me that their side is playing behind smoke and mirrors and the results are much better than the performances have been deserving. However, Andre Villas-Boas won't mind that has he looks to rebuild his reputation following his time at Chelsea and a Champions League place is still the minimum of expectations for the club.
Spurs are 4th in the Premier League table thanks to an impressive 0-3 win at Fulham last weekend and they also made it through to the last 32 of the Europa League with a 3-1 win over Panathinaikos on Thursday night. Tottenham bring in a 4-0-3 away record in this game, scoring 15 goals and conceding 13 in those games.
Since a 5-2 loss at Arsenal in the League, Tottenham are unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions and they have won their last 4 in a row so confidence will be very high. However, before beating Fulham at Craven Cottage, Spurs had not won any of their previous 4 away games in all competitions and had actually lost 3 of those games.
Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson both suffered hamstring injuries last weekend and are expected to miss out with the hope they can return before the busy Christmas period. Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Scott Parker are inching closer to a return to the first team, but neither is ready this week.
Head to Head
Everton beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 here last season and that means they have won back to back home League games against Spurs while Everton are now unbeaten in 5 home games against them.
Prior to these back to back League defeats at Goodison Park, Spurs had earned draws in their previous 3 trips to this part of Liverpool.
Prediction
Everton have been struggling to turn draws into wins in recent weeks, but I think they have an excellent chance in this one as Tottenham Hotspur are missing a big piece of their team in Gareth Bale.
Spurs have also looked vulnerable defensively and I think Everton can put enough pressure on them to get some joy going forward.
The first goal will be crucial for Everton as they have found themselves falling behind and not being able to overturn that deficit, but I think they will be a little too strong for Spurs when the game is over and I like their chances at the 2.10 being offered by Paddy Power.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Everton to win @ 2.10
