Everton v Tottenham - preview

TEAM NEWS

Everton will be without James McCarthy, who suffered a recurrence of a hip injury in the defeat to Stoke.

Phil Jagielka, who has not played since October, is unlikely to feature on Sunday but may return a few days later.

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a groin injury.

The game will come too soon for Alex Pritchard, who is close to recovering from an ankle injury, and Clinton Njie is also out with a knee problem.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Guy Mowbray: "There are a few rumblings of discontent at Goodison. The sort that come with having won just one of the last six league games.

"It's not just the lack of wins troubling Toffees though, it's been the manner of the last two defeats - both at home.

"First 3-2 versus Leicester, then 4-3 against Stoke. Great entertainment 'for neutrals' but no points - and who cares about 'neutrals' anyway?

"How they must envy the consistency of Spurs. Consistency, the best defence in the Premier League, and a ruthless streak that's swept them into the top four and even spawned title talk.

"They could you know. They really could."

Twitter: @Guymowbray 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "As a team we know that we are not far off becoming a really, really strong team. Our performances going forward and our performances in between the boxes have been very impressive.

"It's just defensively we are putting ourselves in a very difficult position to get the scorelines reflecting what happens in our performances. That's what we're looking to improve, to become better and make sure the second half of the season we get the rewards from all the pain we've had to suffer in the last few weeks."

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino on the transfer window: "We are ready to take the better decisions for the team and the future of the club. That might mean we bring players in, or not. The better decision might be not to bring players in.

"Today we are very happy with the squad we have. We have a strong squad. In the place we are after 19 games it means we are in a very good way and our decisions were good.

"Only if we can help the team, maybe we take some decisions. For that we need to be sure that if we need to bring players in they are the right profile."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

It will be interesting to see Romelu Lukaku going up against fellow Belgians Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in the Spurs defence.

Everton have not won at home since beating Villa on 21 November. I think they are due one.

Lawro's full predictions v Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in ourPredictor game.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Everton (W3, D3).
• Everton have failed to score in four of their last five meetings with Spurs.
• Spurs clinched their spot in this season's Europa League with a 1-0 win in this fixture in May.

Everton

• Everton have won just one of their last six league games, and lost two of the last three.
• The Toffees have conceded seven goals in their last two games at Goodison Park.
• Games involving Roberto Martinez' side have produced 63 goals this season, the highest total in the top flight.
• Everton have scored in their last 10 league games. Only two teams - Leicester and Manchester City - have scored more than the Toffees' total of 35 goals this season.
• Romelu Lukaku has scored eight goals in his last seven Premier League appearances at Goodison Park, and 11 goals in his last 10 games in all competitions.

Tottenham

• Tottenham have won their last three Premier League games, and are aiming to win four in a row in the league for the first time since January 2014.
• Spurs have lost just one of their last 18 Premier League matches (W9, D8).
• Tottenham are unbeaten away from home in the league since the opening day of the season (W4, D4). They've scored in every league away game since then.
• Spurs have the meanest defence in the Premier League, having conceded 15 goals so far this season.
• Tottenham will be looking to win their opening Premier League game of the calendar year for the sixth successive season.