It is here, the much anticipated opening weekend of the Premier League, and the staff and punters here at the Football Transfer Tavern are gearing up for and eagerly awaiting a huge few days.

There are a whole host of new managers in place this season and one in particular is Ronald Koeman, the manager who led his Southampton side to European football last season decided to jump ship at the prospect of joining Everton.

As we have learnt here at the Tavern he has qualities as a manager to get the best out of half decent sides, this is undoubtedly what attracted the Toffees the the Dutchman and what better way to start than with a win? Up against another former Saints boss in Mauricio Pochettino, with the visit of last seasons high flying Tottenham Hotspur.

The Goodison Park faithful have high expectations; hence why they got on the back of former boss, Roberto Martinez, when things got tough. So, in front of a home crowd Koeman will wish for the best possible start.

Recently at the Tavern we learnt of the arrival of Swansea captain, Ashley Williams as a replacement for the departing John Stones who went for an incredible £47m to Premier League rivals Man City.

Having taken in everything, our Landlord is tipping Koeman’s side for the win and this Everton XI is the one that will take Spurs apart on Saturday…

Maarten Stekelenburg

The Dutch stopper is a go to guy for his compatriot Koeman, the former Holland international goalkeeper had an impressive start at the Saints at the beginning of last season before Fraser Forster made his return from injury.

He’s looked solid in pre-season; even keeping a clean sheet at Old Trafford in Rooney’s testimonial game.

Leighton Baines

This experienced full back was missed severely by the Toffees last term with an injury sustained early on in the 15/16 season, so they had to rely on a youthful full back at times with Galloway who did well when called upon, but you can’t knock experience and with Baines you get that in abundance.

The former England full back is a solid and reliable defender who can also hit a dead ball, pretty much perfectly!

Ramiro Funes Mori

The Argentine had some critics in his first season, especially after his harsh tackle on Divock Origi in the Merseyside derby.

However, this young centre back had a good Copa America with Argentina, making the final, and not only that but the 25-year-old made a big step up from River Plate, and the standard he was used to, by moving to the Premier League and didn’t look out of place, he even managed to score a few goals along the way.

Ashley Williams

Many may have Jagielka here however when you sign the Welsh national team captain, and a player who hadn’t missed a game for Swansea until the final game of last season, you don’t leave him on the bench.

The 31-year-old was a hero for the Swans and his country, and our Landlord believes the Everton fans will fall in love with him when they see the passion he brings to his game. He will be the leader they need, Will he captain the side? I guess we will see…

Seamus Coleman

The Irish full back has become a fan favourite at Goodison Park since his arrival from Sligo Rovers, and what a signing he was, for such a cheap deal!

He’s a solid right back, and could well be regarded amongst the best in the league and as long The Republic of Ireland international is fit this weekend he will be a dead cert to start under Koeman as he was under Moyes and Martinez before him.

Idrissa Gueye

The defensive midfielder had the second highest interception rate with Villa last season, behind the coveted N’Golo Kante, but could do noting to stop the rot at Villa park, he went a bit under the radar due to their abysmal season.

This is a brilliant bit of business from Koeman bringing him in to Everton and he will have his plate full with trying to keep Janssen and Kane quiet at Goodison Park come Saturday.

Gareth Barry

The 35-year-old is a must in the middle of the park for Everton, he’s a solid midfielder and has leadership qualities in abundance.

With him and Gueye you’ll get a mix of youth and experience, Barry is a solid passer of the ball and creates a lot going forward as well as keeping the ball away from the defence behind him.

Gerard Deulofeu

On the right wing this former Barcelona winger is probably one of the best players at Koeman’s disposal, he can score some brilliant goals as well as provide for those in front of him.

The Spaniard went a little under the radar with the arrival of Aaron Lennon, who could have also made this position but Tottenham know the winger too well and would keep him at bay.

Here at the Tavern we still feel the 22-year-old is the best option in terms of creating and scoring goals, he will posses a big threat for Rose or Davies at full back for Spurs.

Ross Barkley

The England international is a brilliant talent and the bar staff here reckon he works a lot better in a central attacking role as opposed to being further back on the pitch.

Last term he had some problems with finding the net but there is no doubt about his ability, and at still a young age he will surely become an Evertonian hero if he remains at Goodison Park.

Many were frustrated that Hodgson didn’t give him a go at the Euros and just left him on the bench and hopefully he can take his chance this year to impress his two new bosses in Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce.

Kevin Mirallas

The Belgian winger is one of the players who fell out of favour with the former boss Roberto Martinez and for that he was constantly on the bench and linked with moves away from Merseyside.

However, in pre-season he has been impressive under Koeman and he will surely get the nod being that he is a fans favourite and also has the ability to take on and beat full backs with strength and pace he will even cause problems for the speedy Kyle Walker.

Romelu Lukaku

Despite many rumours of him leaving in recent weeks it seems that the Belgian will still be there at the start of the season, and will be their main man up top in front of Barkley.

He is a proven goalscorer as he showed last term and despite dropping off near the end of the season he was still amongst the top goal scorers in an otherwise poor season for Everton.

No matter what happens this window, whilst an Everton player he will get in at all times as they lack forward options, for now anyway.

Toffees fans, we want to hear from you! What do you make of the XI? What will the score be against Spurs? Let us know below…