Must win Monday as Tottenham Hotspur hosts Everton in the EPL

As Spurs host Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday evening, both teams have a must-win game for very contradictory reasons. 

Both Tottenham Hotspur and Everton started the Premier League season well. Spurs were first after three matches, and the Toffees were fourth after four games. Unfortunately, those two marks early in the season were the high points for both teams. Since those early successes, both teams have struggled for consistency and come into Monday’s match desperate for a victory.

Tottenham is trying to fight for Europe

Spurs have been as low as 11th this season – after the loss to Arsenal on matchday six, come into Monday’s game in 7th place, just two points behind West Ham for sixth. A win would push Tottenham above the Hammers with a game still in hand.

That game in hand also applies to Manchester United, who sits fifth four points ahead of Tottenham. United losing the Manchester Derby keeps Spurs within shouting distance of the Red Devils and a legitimate claim on a Europa League spot.

Arsenal, who is currently is in fourth, will be at least four points ahead of Spurs and level on matches if Tottenham wins. Knowing there is still a north London derby to come, things could get tight.

However, to make any of the goals left for Spurs possible and claim a place in Europe, Tottenham needs to win. We can expect Antonio Conte to field a solid team to make that happen.

Everton is trying to avoid a relegation scrap

While Spurs are battling to stay afloat in the race for the top four and European places, Everton tries to avoid a relegation scrap at the bottom end of the table. The Toffees won four and drew two in their first seven matches before the bottom fell out.

Following a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, Everton lost six of their next seven matches, with a 0-0 home draw versus Spurs – in Antonio Conte’s first match in charge – their only point in that span. A win against Arsenal temporarily stopped the fall, but losses to Palace, Brighton, and Norwich led to the firing of Rafael Benitez, who Frank Lampard has replaced.

Everton has lost three of four in the league under Lampard, including a controversial loss to Manchester City last weekend where a clear handball in the box on Ruben Diaz was not called.

Everton is now 17th on 22 points, just one point ahead of Burnley. The Toffees benefit from having played the fewest number of games with just 24 matches played before Monday; however, as Tottenham learned, games in hand may not always be worth the three points you are counting on taking.

A win moves either team up the table toward Europe or safety; which team will be climbing Monday night, Spurs or the Toffees?