Ronald Koeman takes his in-form Everton side to Tottenham this afternoon (1.30pm kick-off) looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to ten matches.

The Toffees have won six and drawn the other three of their nine league games since their frustrating last-gasp defeat to Merseyside rivals Liverpool on December 19, and it’s a run of form which has given them a genuine chance of reaching a European spot this term.

Koeman’s men are seventh in the Premier League table, and find themselves just five points behind Manchester United in sixth after the Red Devils could only muster a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Arsenal’s defeat at Liverpool will also give Everton hope of catching at least one of those sides in the top six, yet they’ll have their work cut out at White Hart Lane this afternoon against Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham.

Spurs are second in the Premier League having won 15 of their 26 matches this term, including seven of their last ten, and their home record has been outstanding, winning eight on the spin and dropping just four points there all season.

Clearly, it’s going to be a tricky afternoon for Koeman’s Everton, yet here are THREE reasons why the Toffees will clinch all three points this afternoon…

One of the form teams in league

Everton are embarking on the second longest unbeaten run in the Premier League, with Manchester United’s 17-match streak the only one better than the Toffees’.

Koeman’s men haven’t lost in the league since their 1-0 defeat at home to Merseyside rivals Liverpool back on December 19 – since then, they have won six of their nine matches, drawing the other three.

Impressive victories over Leicester, Southampton, and Manchester City have underlined their return to form, and it’s a run which has given them an outside chance of reaching the Premier League’s top four come May.

Everton are playing well, looking a threat going forward, and have been resolute at the back – it’s quite the combination which could hurt Tottenham this afternoon.

Lukaku on fine goal-scoring run

It will be the battle of two of the Premier League’s most in-form strikers this afternoon as Harry Kane comes up against Romelu Lukaku at White Hart Lane.

England international Kane has netted three hat-tricks in his last nine appearances for Spurs, including in their last outing at home to Stoke City.

However, only Everton’s Lukaku scored more league goals than the 23-year-old in February, with his five strikes helping the Toffees to two wins and two draws during the month.

His form, including his four goals against Bournemouth on February 4, has given Koeman’s men hope of reaching a European spot this term, and he’ll once again have to be at his best against Spurs today.

Lukaku is playing brilliantly, and will certainly cause the Tottenham defence, of which a few may be nursing slight knocks, serious issues at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

Chance to state intent in European battle

Everton go into this afternoon’s clash just six points behind Arsenal in fifth, and only five points adrift of Manchester United in sixth after Jose Mourinho’s men could only draw at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Thus, they will still harbour ambitions of clinching at least a Europa League spot this season.

Koeman’s men have been in sparkling form recently, and victories over Arsenal back in December and Manchester City in January demonstrates that they can indeed mix it with the top sides.

Another performance of those ilk against Spurs will certainly make the top six stand up and take note of the Toffees ahead of the Premier League run in.