Everton take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday and Alan Shearer thinks a selection change will prove crucial for the Toffees.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium is becoming a fortress for the Toffees, with two wins and two draws from their opening four league games on the docks.
David Moyes will be keen to maintain that unbeaten record when Everton host a Spurs side who were in Champions League action on Wednesday evening.
Everton will be reunited with Richarlison, who is coming under scrutiny for his attitude in a Tottenham shirt.
The Blues have their own striker issues, though. Beto and Thierno Barry have not been good enough this season placing big pressure on their teammates to find the back of the net.
Despite the struggles in attack, Shearer has become the latest pundit to share his prediction for the game, which will excite Everton fans.
Newcastle United FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Alan Shearer shares his Everton vs Tottenham prediction
Ahead of the game on Sunday afternoon, Paul Scholes expects Everton to beat Tottenham after what he saw from Spurs last weekend.
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The Lilywhites were beaten by a turbulent Aston Villa outfit, which left the former Manchester United midfielder far from impressed.
In his weekly predictions for Metro, Shearer also backed Everton to take all three points as Jack Grealish makes his return to the side.
“Spurs have had to travel, so I guess from that perspective it will be a tough one. Jack Grealish will be back for Everton – they missed him last week at City,” he said.
“I think with Everton at home it’s difficult to go against them, even if it’s against a Champions League team. I just think with Spurs playing a really tough game in Monaco, then travelling to Everton is tough so I’m going to go for a home win.”
Tottenham are expected to be without two key defenders, with Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie both missing the last two games through injury.
Everton put Tottenham to the sword last time the Lilywhites made the trip to Merseyside and Moyes will be hoping for a repeat on Sunday.
Jack Grealish can lead Everton to Europe
Paul Merson expects Everton to hold their own against Spurs, but he did acknowledge his concerns over their current striker options.
Three points for the Blues on Sunday would take them level with Thomas Frank’s side, who have made a solid start to the new campaign.
Tottenham fans are worried about Grealish and what he and Iliman Ndiaye could do to their backline on Merseyside.
Player Assists
Mohammed Kudus 4
Jack Grealish 4
Granit Xhaka 3
El Hadji Malick Diouf 3
Only Spurs’ Mohammed Kudus can boast as many assists as Grealish this season in the Premier League.
Individual quality from Grealish could tip the balance in a game which Merson expects to be incredibly tight between the two sides.
Moyes is targeting European qualification for Everton this season and taking an opportunity like the game on Sunday will be key to doing so.
Having players of Grealish’s quality will go a long way towards pushing the Toffees in the right direction for a European spot challenge.