Three matches without a win isn't the end of the world for most Premier League teams. It's going to happen to virtually everyone over the course of the grueling season, even the best of clubs.
Unfortunately for Tottenham though, that struggle has come right at the start of the year, and it has cast a shadow of doubt over White Hart Lane that a match which initially looked to be easy against Everton might turn into a bit of a disaster.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Spurs are still favored, but the margin by which they are getting the nod is tenuous. Tottenham is just barely an odds-on favorite at -104 on the moneyline and the Asian Handicap, which basically means there's a 50/50 chance Everton gets at least a point from this game.
The total is a wee high at a flat 2.5 on each side, a testament to how bad Tottenham's defense has been to kick off this campaign.
KEY INJURIES
Saido Berahino still isn't a member of Tottenham, and the Spurs are running out of time to come up with a bid big enough to bring him to White Hart Lane from West Brom before the August 31 transfer deadline. Even if he gets moved before this clash though, it might be too late for him to debut in this fixture.
Christian Eriksen figures to have a shot to get back on the pitch for the Spurs after sitting out last week's disappointing draw with Leicester City.
The vets will get a chance to come back at some point for Everton, but Roberto Martinez is doing just fine without Leighton Baines, Darron Gibson, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar, all of which have been long-term absentees.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It puts a smile on your face when you see someone like John Stones defending the way he defends, getting on the ball the way he does." – Everton manager Roberto Martinez reaffirming the club's commitment to defender John Stones even though he has been linked to a possible Chelsea move before the transfer deadline
RECENT FORM
The Spurs still don't have that truly damning result against them this year, but at some point, they have to win a fixture. They've got consecutive draws against Stoke City and Leicester City, but that just hasn't been good enough after a 1-0 loss at Manchester United in the curtain-raiser.
Everton has had one great moment and two epic failures thus far in 2015. The Toffees smashed Southampton 3-0 at St. Mary's Stadium on August 15, but a 2-2 draw against Watford was inexcusable, while the 2-0 loss at home against Manchester City last week was a nightmare.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Harry Kane needs help and needs help badly. Berahino would be his perfect complement. However, Berahino still isn't at White Hart Lane and probably won't be by Saturday either. Bringing in Clinton Njie from Lyon last week might end up helping, but from our standpoint, this isn't a tactical match made in heaven for a man used to playing wing forward. A straight 4-4-2 probably won't suit him all that well.
The real issue for the Spurs though, is at that back, a problem which really shouldn't be arising.
Everton is a team which is a work in progress, but Martinez at least seems to have the right idea tactically by staying relatively conservative. This just isn't a good matchup for Tottenham at all, a team which has been pressing just a bit and losing points because of it.
There's a legit chance that the Toffees can steal all three points, which would immediately fire up rumors of Mauricio Pochettino being sacked early on in 2015-16.
Everton 1, Tottenham 0
BookMaker has live Premier League odds for every clash of the season. You can find a moneyline price on Tottenham of -104 and a total of 2.5 right now! BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Tottenham and Everton will take place at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at White Hart Lane. The game will be broadcast live on NBC.
