The Premier League is little over four weeks away and the Spurs and Everton fans in the Transfer Tavern can’t wait to see their teams back in action.
Spurs went agonisingly close to the Premier League title last time out before crumbling to finish third, but there’s renewed optimism around the club that now, with an extra year of experience under the young squad’s belt, they can go on to lift the trophy.
Speaking of renewed optimism, Toffees fans are expecting the dawn of a successful new era under former Southampton boss Ronald Koeman.
The Dutchman moved north to Merseyside after seeing his stock rise once more at the Saints last season and is tasked with getting the Blues back towards the top six, after a couple of poor seasons under Roberto Martinez.
Koeman’s tenure starts at home to Spurs and whilst the Goodison Park crowd will want a win Tottenham will be looking to prove last season was no fluke.
Our landlord is backing a big Lilywhites win to kick off the campaign as long as they go with this 4-4-2 line up…
Hugo Lloris
Lloris showed at the European Championships that he’s a world class goalkeeper with a number of hugely important saves.
There’s no way he won’t be Tottenham’s number one this season and his quickness off the line will help his side with their high pressing tactics.
The Frenchman was a big part of Spurs’ miserly defence last season and they’ll need that again against Everton.
Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose
Spurs’ defence isn’t broken, so there’s no need to fix it.
Walker and Rose came of age last season as they got the balance between attacking and defending right more often than not.
As for Alderweireld and Vertonghen there arguably isn’t as strong a centre back pairing in the league right now, and the two will be vital once more to any challenge Spurs try to mount this season.
Erik Lamela, Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen
Mauricio Pochettino goes into this season with a very settled squad and that could be vital to get a head start over their potential title rivals.
Spurs’ midfield is no different with Lamela and Eriksen tucking inside for Walker and Rose to overlap respectively.
Dembele will be the enforcer in the centre of the park – keeping watch of Ross Barkley – whilst all eyes will be on Dele Alli to see if he can reproduce last season’s form.
Harry Kane, Vincent Janssen
Harry Kane showed he was no one season wonder last season, but was slow to get going at the beginning of 2015/16.
Any similar occurrence may not be as much of a problem now though, with the signing of Vincent Janssen.
The new boy hit 27 Eredivisie goals last season and will be expected to make a big contribution to Spurs’ goal tally.
If he and Kane can strike up a good partnership quickly they could blow Everton away.
