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Tottenham v Everton preview: John Stones set to start

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Image: Tottenham v Everton is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm on Saturday

Tottenham will be chasing their first Premier League victory of the season when they host Everton on Saturday evening, live on Saturday Night Football on Sky Sports.

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Mauricio Pochettino's side led at Leicester last week, only to be pegged back, leaving them with just two points from their first three games. 

Everton, meanwhile, will be hoping to recover from their 2-0 home defeat by league leaders Manchester City last Sunday.

Team news

Image: John Stones has been the subject of intense transfer speculation

John Stones will remain at the heart of Everton's defence against Tottenham despite seeing a transfer request rejected this week.

The 21-year-old England international has been told by his club that he will not be sold to Chelsea during this transfer window and boss Roberto Martinez is confident he is in the right frame of mind to feature at White Hart Lane.

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Roberto Martinez reiterates that John Stones is not for sale, and that the defender will play for Everton at Tottenham on Saturday

Bryan Oviedo may slot in at left-back again as Brendan Galloway (knee) remains a doubt and Leighton Baines (ankle) is out injured along with Steven Pienaar (hamstring), Tony Hibbert (knee) and Darron Gibson (foot).

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New Tottenham signing Heung-Min Son may have to wait for his debut following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday. The 23-year-old's move to White Hart Lane is subject to international clearance and obtaining a work permit.

Playmaker Christian Eriksen remains sidelined with a knee injury, but Andros Townsend could be available after returning to training. Clinton N'Jie, the summer arrival from Lyon, is yet to make his debut and remains a doubt.

Christian Eriksen has scored 22 goals for Spurs since joining from Ajax in 2013
Image: Christian Eriksen has scored 22 goals for Spurs since joining from Ajax in 2013

Stats

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six Barclays Premier League games at home to Everton (W4 D2).

Everton have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games with Spurs.

Harry Kane has scored just two goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances.

Mauricio Pochettino looks on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City
Image: Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has yet to taste victory this season

In the 11 Premier League appearances before this, he had scored 14 goals.

Arouna Kone (3) has had a hand in more Premier League goals in his last three appearances for Everton than he did in his previous 17 (2).

Everton have won their last two Premier League trips to London – they have never won three successive Premier League away games in the capital.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates
Image: Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Everton at Barnsley in midweek

Merson's prediction

Tottenham need to get going. I thought they played well at Leicester and Man Utd but never really looked like scoring. They're having a lot of play, and they need someone with a bit of cutting edge with all the ball they're getting. In terms of Spurs in the transfer window, a second striker for Harry Kane will do what Arouna Kone has done for Romelu Lukaku. 

I'm not the biggest fan of Kone, but he's gone up front and has helped Lukaku, and they look a better team since. With Kane, he needs the pressure taken off him. It can only be a good thing for Spurs. I don't think the John Stones situation will unsettle the Everton players, but I don't think it was a great move for the defender to put in a transfer request.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)

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Highlights of Everton's 5-3 AET win at Barnsley in the Capital One Cup in midweek

Betting

Tottenham are 10/11 with Sky Bet to secure a much-needed first league win of the season against 14/5 shots Everton, with the draw available at 5/2. Spurs have failed to impress in their opening matches and have drifted out to 11/10 to secure a top-six finish while the Toffees are odds-on to secure a top-half finish. Romelu Lukaku is 11/2 to score in an away win and 5/2 to net anytime.

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We look back at Tottenham's 5-2 win over Everton on New Year's Day in 2005

Watch Tottenham v Everton on Saturday Night Football live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm.

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