Everton v Tottenham preview: Gylfi Sigurdsson to face former club

Gylfi Sigurdsson is approaching peak fitness ahead of the visit of former club Tottenham on Saturday.

Everton’s club-record signing made his debut off the bench in their 1-1 draw against Manchester City before the international break but is in line to start against Spurs after two goals for Iceland in their win over Ukraine on Tuesday.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman also confirmed Wayne Rooney is set to feature after a turbulent week in which he was charged with drink-driving.
On Sigurdsson, Koeman told Everton TV: „I think Gylfi is now in the right position in terms of a physical state.

„It was really tough for him to play two full games for us in such a short period, then he travelled with his national team as well.

„He was back today [Thursday], maybe still a bit tired and he needs to recover – but he’s in a good physical state to be at his best for this Saturday.“

Koeman anticipates a difficult test against Tottenham, whose stuttering start to the season has brought four points from three matches.

„It’s a tough game because, in my opinion, Tottenham is one of the strongest sides in the Premier League and they are not happy about the results they’ve had in the start of the season,“ he added.

„But the way they play football and the quality they have in their team, it makes it very tough.“

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to call on new signing Serge Aurier – one of five summer arrivals – as Kieran Tripper has recovered from an ankle problem.

On Tottenham’s transfer business, Pochettino said: „We’re so happy with the players we’ve added before the end of the transfer window.

„We’re excited. Everyone brings quality to the team and help the team. It will be a long season with a lot of competitions and we need strength and competition. That can only benefit the team.

„It’s been difficult with the international break but now we have all the squad working together and we can start to build a strong team and strong mentality that we will need to compete for the whole season.“
Team news

Nikola Vlasic will be part of the Everton squad for the first time since joining on Deadline Day, while striker Oumar Niasse has been recalled to the squad having been frozen out last season.

Jordan Pickford has recovered from a thigh injury which forced him to pull out of England duty while midfielder Davy Klaassen has recovered from a foot problem.

Aurier arrived back from Ivory Coast duty on Thursday but Trippier has recovered from an ankle issue and should start at right-back.

Victor Wanyama and Danny Rose are both out with knee injuries while Erik Lamela is still around a month away from competitive action following a hip problem.

Opta stats

Everton are winless in their last nine Premier League games against Spurs (D5 L4) since a 2-1 win in December 2012.

However, Spurs have only won one of their last 10 top-flight visits to Goodison Park (D6 L3), a 1-0 victory in May 2015 courtesy of a Harry Kane goal.

Spurs have won 23 Premier League games against Everton, their joint-most victories against an opponent (also 23 against Manchester City).

Spurs have scored 15 goals and attempted 63 shots in their last three Premier League away games – in comparison, they’d conceded just two goals and 28 shots in these matches.

Rooney has scored 11 goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances against Tottenham in the Premier League.

Kane has attempted 10 more shots than any other player in the opening three matchdays of the 2017-18 Premier League season (24), but is yet to score.

Kane has scored 99 goals in all competitions for Tottenham, 48 of which have come in away games. Christian Eriksen has assisted more of these than any other teammate (16).
Merson’s prediction

This is a big game for both sides. If Everton get beat at home to Spurs you’ll get the voices saying: „They’ve spent all this money but are still a million miles away.“ Spurs have also started poorly and really need to win otherwise they could be chasing even at the early stage.

This is a hard game for both teams and one they won’t want to lose. It’s a game both teams will be scared to lose so I’m going for a draw.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
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