Tottenham v Everton: Toffees to end White Hart Lane hoodoo?

Davies has been outstanding for Everton – telegraph.co.uk

Everton have just won six league games within a nine-match unbeaten spell. The last time they equalled that feat was March 2008 – back when Yakubu was one of the Premier League’s top scorers and Twitter didn’t exist to Joleon Lescott’s benefit.

Talk to most Everton fans before this run and they would have said a top half finish is they best they could hope for and that an overhaul is needed in the summer. Now, it feels like they are back, snapping at the heels of England’s elite.

Much of the credit must go to Tom Davies. He has worked so hard to break into the side from the academy, he therefore appreciates every game he plays in. He has an infectious work ethic and is perhaps the type of player Everton have needed for some time, especially during the last two years of Roberto Martinez’s tenure.

Davies likes to press the right side, looking to combine with Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman. Should Danny Rose remain injured for visitors Tottenham, this could spell problems for replacement left wing-back Ben Davies, who was exposed for a lack of pace by Sadio Mane at Anfield. Davies was improved against Stoke last week but Everton will pose a stronger challenge, even if they do not play with classic wingers.

Tottenham do not either and often rely on Kyle Walker for width on the right. We can see from the ‘Player positions’ map on WhoScored that the attacking trio of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Harry Kane were close together in the 4-0 win over Stoke. The latter two scored four first half goals between them, yet Spurs can be inconsistent from a goalscoring point of view. They have failed to net in two of their last four games and have only won two of their last five.

2008 was also the last year Everton won at White Hart Lane – perhaps their impressive form will see them put another nine-year statistic to bed.

The Football Lab’s Verdict: 0-1
Betting tip: Everton or draw 5/4