Tottenham Hotspur host an undefeated Everton side in north London searching for their first Premier League victory of the campaign. Roberto De Zerbi’s side has struggled for early-season momentum despite a summer spending spree exceeding £300m on 10 new arrivals, reflecting a net spend of approximately £160m. After suffering a defeat to Newcastle that left them at the bottom of the table without a point or goal, Spurs salvaged a solitary, fortuitous point in a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest last Saturday—saved only when Neco Williams had a potential winner ruled out for handball following a VAR review. De Zerbi addressed his squad’s underlying issues bluntly after the Newcastle loss, identifying mentality as the club’s single biggest challenge while noting that mentality cannot simply be bought in the transfer market.
The current struggle follows a nerve-shredding climax to the previous campaign, where Spurs defeated Everton on the final day to guarantee top-flight survival. Joao Palhinha’s 43rd-minute strike proved decisive in that encounter, securing a 17th-place finish for a second consecutive year. Just twelve months removed from lifting the Europa League, Tottenham found themselves fighting to prevent a first relegation since 1977. Home turf has provided little sanctuary lately. Spurs are winless in their last 10 home league matches, drawing four and losing six, marking their longest dry spell in north London since a 14-game streak between October 1993 and April 1994. Furthermore, Tottenham haven’t won a Premier League game after conceding the opening goal in nearly two years, dropping points in 36 consecutive matches (28 losses, eight draws) after trailing 1-0 since a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in November 2024.
Despite averaging roughly 11 shots per match, Tottenham’s lack of clinical execution in front of goal has hindered their progress alongside a lengthy injury list. Richarlison has provided vital attacking output, recording a goal or assist in three of his last four Premier League appearances, while James Maddison has scored or assisted in four of his last five league outings against Everton. Historically, Tottenham hold a dominant record over the Merseyside club, remaining unbeaten in 25 of their last 27 meetings across all competitions and scoring at least twice in each of their last five encounters.
David Moyes brings Everton south on the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester United. Deadline-day signing Ainley Maitland-Niles proved the unexpected savior in that fixture, netting a 96th-minute equaliser to mark his first Premier League goal in nearly eight years and just his second in 110 appearances. Everton made a single change for that match, with Brennan Johnson replacing Iliman Ndiaye following Ndiaye’s transfer to Manchester City. Deadline day also featured the return of 30-year-old winger Jack Grealish on a second successive loan from Manchester City. Grealish saw his previous campaign cut short by a stress fracture to his foot following a 1-0 win at Aston Villa in January, but Everton maintained significantly higher win percentages and points-per-game tallies when he was in the team. Moyes used just 22 players last season—the fewest of any manager in the division—and squad depth remains severely tested ahead of a 17-game run before the January window opens.
While Everton remain unbeaten, defensive fragilities persist for the visitors. The Toffees have conceded two or more goals in each of their last six Premier League fixtures, while midfielder James Garner has been booked in five of his last six league appearances. Everton’s historical record at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium offers further cause for caution, having managed just one victory in their last 16 Premier League away matches against Spurs (four draws, 11 losses), including four straight defeats by an aggregate score of 13-1. Both teams enter Sunday’s clash desperate for defensive solidity and a transformative performance in north London.
