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Everton will host Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night (3rd April), this will be Cristian Stellini’s first match since taking over Antonio Conte’s position as manager.

Everton are 18th in the Premier League table on 26 points, a win will put the Toffees in 13th place and clear them from the relegation zone.

Despite the recent sacking of Conte (26th March) Spurs are currently fifth in the table with 49 points and three points would put Spurs back into the top four.

Stellini has a 100%-win record at Tottenham after winning all four games he managed in Conte’s absence.

Everton has been in the headlines recently after releasing their Annual Report & Accounts for 2021/22. After being referred to an Independent Commission they could face a points deduction or heavy fine due to Premier League allegations regarding a breach of their financial Profitability and Sustainability rules.

The accounts show the club recorded a turnover of £181m in 2021/22 and reported a statutory loss of £44.7m. Everton has released a statement that stated: “The club remains in a secure financial position”.

A points deduction could increase the likelihood of relegation for the Blues as they remain in the relegation zone, three points from the bottom of the table.

The Blues appear in stronger form and mentality since Sean Dyche was appointed in February, they have won three, lost three, and drawn two. Everton’s last fixture was an exhilarating 2-2 draw away at Chelsea, where youngster Ellis Simms scored his first goal for the club.

Everton have lacked a striker this season with the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who has been ruled out again by Dyche ahead of Monday night’s game and it looks promising for Simms to make the starting XI.

Nathan Patterson can potentially return for the fixture, as the Scotsman has returned to his international team squad after suffering a knee injury.

Tottenham’s recent results have been inconsistent, they shared points with Southampton after a 3-3 draw in their last fixture at St Mary’s. 

Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League during the same week in March.

Ex-Everton forward Richarlison, who is yet to score for Tottenham, suffered an injury before the international break. Stellini says the Brazilian has a ‘problem,’ so he is unlikely to face his old club.

Star striker Harry Kane has broken the record to become England’s all-time top goal scorer and will be a threat to Everton, he has scored 14 goals in his 15 Premier League games against them.

Captain Hugo Lloris has been absent since February due to injury and has since returned to training, looking positive for a return ahead of Monday’s fixture.

Everton fans are scheduled to protest against their Board of Directors at 7pm outside The Royal Oak ahead of their must-win game.

The Blues have won just one of 20 of their last games against Tottenham. Dyche’s side will fight to avoid relegation and maintain their three-match unbeaten streak.

The match will kick off at 8pm on Monday night under the lights at Goodison Park.

Chloe Evans