I suppose that this match is technically a 2011 Premier League contest, on account of it being the season opener for both sides. The fixture, obviously, has been a little misplaced - the London riots saw to that - and this is the first week that it could be played. Cast your mind back to August and you'll remember a quietly confident Everton team vs. a Tottenham Hotspur that was looking awfully like losing its best player to Chelsea.
Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Everton, 2012 Premier League: Preview & TV Schedule
Everton travel to White Hart Lane in a fixture that was far more compelling back in August.
Now, things are looking very different. Everton are struggling badly, having just lost to relegation-threatened Bolton at Goodison Park, while Spurs are having their best season in recent history. Tottenham could go level on points with Manchester United and extend their lead over 4th-place Chelsea to eight(!) points with a win at home today. Once upon a time, this looked like a tight fixture. Now it’s a title contender hosting a disappointing, injury-plagued* mid-table team. Life’s just full of surprises.
*Both teams are pretty badly hurt at the moment. Here are the key absentees: Everton - Tim Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell, Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman and Tony Hibbert; Tottenham - Sandro, William Gallas, Scott Parker, Ledley King.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, January 11, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: White Hart Lane, London, England
TV: FOX Soccer Channel (USA), Sportsnet World (Canada). Unfortunately, there is no UK live television coverage.
For more on the two teams, check out Tottenham Hotspur blog Cartilage Free Captain and Everton FC blog Royal Blue Mersey.
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