Branthwaite Out as Spurs Visit New Everton Stadium

Everton will host Tottenham at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, remaining unbeaten at their waterfront home after four matches. Everton's preparations have been hit by a major blow: centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite will require surgery and faces a lengthy spell out, while Nathan Patterson is sidelined for several weeks. Jack Grealish returns from his summer loan and is available to bolster Everton’s attack. Tottenham arrive after a hard-fought 0-0 Champions League draw with Monaco in which goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario impressed, but Thomas Frank’s side have managed just one Premier League win in their last four matches. Frank is expected to rotate his squad with Djed Spence likely to return at left-back, though doubts persist over captain Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie. Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur are likely to anchor Spurs’ midfield as the team seeks to arrest poor domestic form and a winless run in their last six visits to Everton.