Tottenham face a crucial game in the battle for fourth place in the English Premier League when they host Everton on Sunday, February 9 at White Hart Lane. After dropping two points against Hull, Spurs must get three points against one of their direct rivals for the top four.
Tim Sherwood has used a 4-4-2 formation in all but two of his previous Premier League matches as manager, opting for 4-2-3-1 only against Swansea away and Manchester City at home. For the Everton game, the manager will probably revert to playing two up front once again, as his team needs to attack and score. His starting XI should not be too different compared to the one that tied 1-1 at Hull City. Let’s take a look at Sherwood’s options for the upcoming fixture.
Goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris has established himself as the undisputed no.1 keeper for Spurs, playing in 23 out of their 24 Premier League games this season. The Frenchman will certainly start against Everton, leaving Brad Friedel on the bench once again.
Defence
Sherwood seems to have found his best back four in the last games. Kyle Walker is well established at right back and Danny Rose will be probably selected in the left back slot once again. Captain Michael Dawson is ever-present at centre back and that should be the case for the Everton clash. Jan Vertonghen will probably remain alongside him after returning from injury. Vlad Chiriches is an alternative for the Belgian, while Sherwood has Younes Caboul back at his disposal, although the injury-troubled Frenchman has not started a league game for Spurs since November.
Midfield
The Tottenham manager will probably stick to the same midfield formation as in the last game. Aaron Lennon should retain his place on the right side. Although Andros Townsend makes his return from injury, maybe the manager will not risk starting him after missing the last nine games. Christian Eriksen seems to be Sherwood’s left midfielder of choice lately, with Gylfi Sigurðsson as an alternative. Paulinho made a goalscoring return from injury at Hull and should once again be preferred for one of the center-midfield slots. Nabil Bentaleb played alongside him at Hull and could keep his place, although Sherwood has some alternatives there. Sandro could return from injury, and if the manager thinks he’s fit, he could pair with Paulinho in an all-Brazilian partnership. Alternatively, Eriksen can play alongside Paulinho, with Sigurðsson moving to the left..
Attack
There are not really many alternatives for Sherwood in attack. The manager has stuck with Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor when he has played with two up front and that will be probably the case for the Everton match. Jermain Defoe is not at Spurs anymore, so the attacking pair should remain the same.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Verthonghen, Rose; Lennon, Paulinho, Bentaleb, Eriksen; Soldado, Adebayor.
