Opposition watch | How have Everton performed since we met in December?

It seems like only yesterday we fought all the way for a 2-1 win against in-form Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That was six weeks ago, 23 December, and now we face the Blues again in Saturday's early kick-off (12.30pm UK) in the Premier League at Goodison Park. Here's a closer look at Sean Dyche's squad...

Form

Everton were flying when they arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 23 December. They'd won eight in their last 12 at that time and four on the trot without conceding a goal, including turning over Newcastle and Chelsea. That streak ended, with a fight, in N17 as we ran out 2-1 winners and since then, Everton have gone five without a win, albeit picking up useful draws against high-flying Villa and at Fulham last time out this week. Surprisingly, considering the atmosphere that can be ramped up there, Everton have struggled somewhat at Goodison Park this season - three wins in 11 sees them 18th in the 'home form' table, compared to five wins and two draws on their travels, where they sit fifth in the 'away form' standings.

Players to watch

It starts at the back for Everton with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford top of the clean sheet chart in the Premier League with eight. He's also made 65 saves in 22 appearances this term. Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, has impressed with 15 appearances in the Premier League this season, he started against us at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium alongside ever-reliable James Tarkowski and they have lined-up together in the last eight matches in all competitions, pairing up as a two in a defensive four in seven of them. Sean Dyche is missing key men in midfield in Abdoulaye Doucoure andAmadou Onana although Idrissa Gueye is back from the AFCON and available. Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison provide the guile in forward areas and the ammunition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, our former loanee Arnaut Danjuma, who helped spark Everton's revival from 2-0 down in our 2-1 in December, is an injury doubt.

Manager - Sean Dyche

Initially in the youth set up at Forest, Dyche, a centre-back, went on to make over 500 appearances in a career spanning 1989-2007, playing for the likes of Chesterfield, Millwall and Watford. He ended his career at Northampton and took his first steps in coaching back at Watford's Academy in 2007. He took over as manager in 2011 and then succeeded Eddie Howe as Burnley boss in 2012. He spent the next 10 years at Turf Moor, taking them out of the Championship into the Premier League, relegation and then an immediate return for 2016/17 and then a seventh-place finish in 2017/18, qualifying for Europe. Dyche eventually departed in April, 2022 and was appointed Everton manager in January, 2023. The Toffees were 19th at the time, but beat Arsenal in Dyche's first game and climbed up to safety in 16th, losing only seven of their last 18 matches.

Last time we met

As we've already mentioned, you only have to go back six weeks for a 2-1 win for us at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. We took control early with goals inside 18 minutes from Richarlison against his former club and Heung-Min Son. Everton had a goal ruled out through VAR before pulling one back in the 82nd minute through Andre Gomes and pushed us all the way in the closing stages, Arnaut Danjuma having two great chances to equalise, forcing one top-drawer save from Guglielmo Vicario.

How to follow

Saturday's clash will be televised live by TNT Sports with live radio commentary on TalkSport. You can listen to BBC Radio London's commentary via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com and the Official Spurs app, where you’ll also find minute-by-minute text, goal alerts, stats and much more. Look out for our social media updates on X and Instagram. Video highlights will be available on SPURSPLAY from 5.15pm, with the full 90 minutes available to watch on demand from midnight. Also, look out for our Review Show with post-match reaction and analysis from presenter Ben Haines and guests on SPURSPLAY and YouTube. Worldwide broadcast listings are available via the link on this page...