Tottenham Predicted XI vs Everton: Fernandes Starts, Bentancur Dropped

Mateus Fernandes starts as De Zerbi makes one change for Tottenham vs Everton

Tottenham Hotspur host Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday at 15:00 local time. Roberto De Zerbi is expected to make one change from the side that drew 1-1 at West Ham, with £85 million signing Mateus Fernandes coming in as the number 10 for Rodrigo Bentancur.

Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton, Premier League matchday four
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday, 15:00 local time
Headline change: Mateus Fernandes starts as the number 10; Rodrigo Bentancur drops out
One alteration: Conor Gallagher moves into the double pivot alongside Sandro Tonali
At stake: Tottenham remain winless after three Premier League outings and are chasing their first victory of the season

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur line-up vs Everton

According to reports, here is how Tottenham could set up against Everton. De Zerbi is expected to make just one change from the team that started last time out, with Fernandes replacing Bentancur.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Antonin Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Sandro Tonali, Conor Gallagher; Savio, Mateus Fernandes, Mathys Tel; Omar Marmoush.

Substitutes: Andy Robertson is among the likely options on the bench, with Dominic Solanke providing an alternative in attack. No further substitutes are confirmed in the source.

Selection notes

Antonin Kinsky has established himself as the number one for the Lilywhites this season and is expected to retain his place in goal against the Toffees.

In defence, Pedro Porro is the undisputed starter at right back and could continue in that role, as could Destiny Udogie on the left side of the back four, with Andy Robertson likely to remain on the bench. Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke are expected to round off an unchanged backline for the home side.

In midfield, Sandro Tonali has yet to live up to the billing after his lucrative swoop from Newcastle United in the summer, but he is expected to keep his place in the double pivot. Rodrigo Bentancur, however, could drop out, with January signing Conor Gallagher, who played higher up the pitch last time, likely to drop into a deeper role next to the Italian.

That means £85 million star Mateus Fernandes is the favourite to play as the number 10 for the Lilywhites, with Savio and Mathys Tel playing on the wings to his right and left, respectively.

Up front, another new and expensive summer signing in Omar Marmoush is set to lead the line for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Dominic Solanke.

Why De Zerbi is turning to Fernandes in the number 10 role

The most telling part of this predicted XI is not the personnel but the shape of the midfield. By shifting Conor Gallagher from a more advanced position into the double pivot alongside Sandro Tonali, De Zerbi is trading some ball progression from deep for a more physical, energetic base. That frees the number 10 role for Mateus Fernandes, whose £85 million price tag makes him the obvious candidate to add creativity in the final third.

Dropping Rodrigo Bentancur is the logical consequence. The Uruguayan offers control, but if the head coach wants two runners in front of the back four to protect the full-backs — Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie — then Gallagher's engine is the more natural fit. Tonali keeps his place despite a slow start, which suggests De Zerbi still trusts him to dictate tempo from deep.

Wide, the combination of Savio on the right and Mathys Tel on the left gives Fernandes two direct runners to feed, while Omar Marmoush leads the line ahead of Dominic Solanke. Against an Everton side that will sit deep, the onus falls on Fernandes to break the lines. If he drifts between the lines and links with Marmoush, Spurs should create enough chances to claim their first win. If he struggles, De Zerbi has Solanke and Robertson to change the game from the bench.

Talking points

Is dropping Rodrigo Bentancur for Conor Gallagher in the double pivot a bold call or an overreaction to a slow start? The Uruguayan offers control, but De Zerbi clearly wants legs.
Mateus Fernandes starts as the number 10 at £85 million — is that the right use of a player who could also play deeper, or is it a waste of his passing range?
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie both push high, leaving Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke exposed. Can Everton exploit the space behind?
Omar Marmoush gets the nod ahead of Dominic Solanke. If Spurs are winless after three games, how long before the more experienced striker returns?

What happens next

Spurs face Everton at 15:00 local time on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A win would be their first of the Premier League season and would ease the pressure after three winless outings. Anything less, and questions about De Zerbi's midfield balance and the £85 million Fernandes gamble will grow louder before the next matchday.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mateus Fernandes starting for Tottenham vs Everton?

Yes. According to reports, Mateus Fernandes is the favourite to play as the number 10 for Tottenham against Everton, replacing Rodrigo Bentancur in the starting XI.

What time is Tottenham vs Everton kick-off?

Tottenham host Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday at 15:00 local time in the Premier League.

Who is dropped from the Tottenham team to face Everton?

Rodrigo Bentancur could drop out of the side, with Conor Gallagher moving into the double pivot alongside Sandro Tonali to accommodate Mateus Fernandes in the number 10 role.