Tottenham Hotspur embark on their first game of the 2020-21 Premier League season on Sunday with a home clash against Everton, with the White Hart Lane faithful hoping for three points to start the campaign.
Spurs ended last term positively after action resumed and while not playing scintillating football, the Lilywhites ground out good results to qualify for the Europa League.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has stated the squad will be stronger due to summer arrivals and the fact that the Portuguese coach has had a pre-season period with the players.
In team news, Spurs rising star Japhet Tanganga will not play against Everton after picking up a thigh injury, the club has confirmed on its official website.
More worryingly, Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of key playmaker Giovani Lo Celso, whose hamstring complaint will lead to a late fitness test.
BBC Sport have stated Spurs left-back Danny Rose will not be involved after missing out on a squad number, with it clearly time for the veteran defender to leave North London.
Tottenham could, and should, hand debuts to Matt Doherty and Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg.
Spurs boss Mourinho has stated that no new injuries after international fixtures is a positive, while the players are ready to go.
“The players have come back without injury, which is a very positive thing, and we are together for two training sessions and we start the season,” the Tottenham manager said.
“The majority of the team, apart from three, know each other well for quite a long time, and the fact I’ve been with them for the past 10 months makes it easier for me, because in this moment, I don’t need to adapt and the players don’t need to adapt to me, because we know each other already, so I think we are ready.”
Tottenham have a good record against Everton over the years, winning 27 Premier League games against the Toffees – more than against any other club.
However, with Carlo Ancelotti adding the likes of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure to the Everton squad, Spurs will face a tough challenge.