It’s now or never for both Everton & Spurs as the two sides face off at Goodison Park

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As both Everton and Spurs still have hopes of making the top four this season, it really is do or die now as neither team can afford any more slip-ups if they are to make a late charge for Champions League qualification.

Jose Mourinho takes his Tottenham side to Goodison Park looking for a response after defeat at home to Manchester United last weekend.

In what was a game surrounded by controversy, it was Spurs who fell short as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United.

Despite looking good towards the back end of February heading into March as they won five on the spin, their fortune has since turned with the Lilywhites registering just one win in their previous five.

Failing to hold onto a lead has been their biggest downfall in recent weeks, losing to both United and Arsenal after scoring first, whilst also throwing three points away to Newcastle as the Magpies grabbed a late equaliser.

Spurs currently sit in seventh position, six points behind fourth-placed West Ham, meaning there is little margin for error if they are to really mount a push for that fourth spot.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Jose Mourinho highlighted the importance of this game whilst also paying some credit to his opponents:

“You look at them, their investment, their improvement in players, the top coach that they have, the ambitions that they’ve never hidden, that’s Everton, the same objectives, and of course in this kind of match it’s not just about the points you get, it’s about the points that your direct opponent doesn’t get, so a big match for them, a big match for us.”

Everton on the other hand are still hopeful of qualifying for Europe themselves, however, their form in recent weeks has not made it any easier heading into the latter stage of the season.

The Toffees are just one point behind Tottenham despite playing a game less, giving them a chance to leapfrog Spurs if they beat the Lilywhites.

However, their home form has left a lot to be desired in previous weeks as Carlo Ancelotti’s men have managed only one win in their last six outings at Goodison Park.

Team news

Ancelotti confirmed during his press conference that Jordan Pickford, Andre Gomes, Allan and Joshua King had all overcome their respective injuries and are fit for the encounter with Spurs.

The Toffees will however still be without leading talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as the Englishman is still sidelined with a groin injury.

Yerry Mina, Fabian Delph and Bernard are all still out, with Ancelotti targeting the game against Arsenal next week as a realistic return date for all three.

Tottenham themselves don’t have any fresh injury concerns heading into this weekend, with Mourinho confirming that both Matt Doherty and Ben Davies remain the only absentees.

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