Two sides who have fallen short of their targets this season face off at Goodison Park on Sunday when Everton host Tottenham Hotspur.
The Toffees head into the final day of the campaign looking to clinch a place in the top half of the table, while Spurs are still hoping to beat Liverpool to fifth spot.
Everton
© Getty Images
After impressing so many people with his style and success during his first season on Merseyside, it's fair to say that Roberto Martinez will not be entirely pleased with this campaign.
A year ago Everton had secured fifth spot ahead of Spurs after just missing out on a Champions League place, and the future looked bright for the Toffees under the guidance of the Spaniard.
However, Martinez's side have found it tough to reach those same heights this season and too many of their key players have underperformed for long spells.
In truth, it could have been much worse after they flirted with the relegation zone in the winter, but even a rally in the second half of the season has been unable to put them in the battle for Europa League qualification.
Everton supporters may feel that not playing in Europe is a blessing in disguise for this squad after their struggles to recover from midweek exploits earlier in the campaign, and the focus will quickly switch to strengthening the side in the summer transfer window.
Before then, Martinez will be hopeful of beating West Ham United and Crystal Palace to a top-half finish, but with the Toffees currently in control of 10th place, they will be fully aware that a win should be enough.
Recent form: DWWLLW
Spurs
© Getty Images
Spurs fans have reached the end of May with a familiar feeling after watching their side fail to earn a spot in the Champions League once again.
After another change of manager a year ago, the supporters were hoping that Mauricio Pochettino's unique style would bring the best out of their underperformers, and while some have certainly improved since his arrival, the Argentine will be fully aware that he has a long way to go before he can think about breaking into the top four.
Another Europa League campaign is there for the taking for Spurs, and with Pochettino already hinting that he will give young players a chance if they qualify for the competition, the pressure will be on him to cut out the disappointing results at home next year in an attempt to put pressure on the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
Many will argue that the squad could do with a season away from the competition, but after recently moving into sixth place, they could now take fifth spot with a win if Liverpool fail to beat Stoke City.
Last week's 2-0 victory over Hull City came on the back of two successive defeats, but the players will look back on disappointing results against Burnley and Aston Villa when they reflect on their shortcomings in the second half of the campaign.
As is often the case at White Hart Lane, much of the attention has already turned to the summer transfer window with Pochettino expected to have more of a say on new recruits as he looks to get more of his ideas across.
The club will also face a challenge to keep key men, with Hugo Lloris a reported target for both Real Madrid and Manchester United, and some of the players who have underperformed could be preparing for their final game with Spurs ahead of the trip to Goodison Park.
Recent form: LWDLLW
Team News
© Getty Images
Pochettino is unlikely to make changes to the side that beat Hull last weekend, so Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela should start out wide once again.
Andros Townsend is likely to be named as a substitute once again, while Eric Dier is expected to keep his place at right-back.
Everton handed a debut to Brendan Galloway in the win over West Ham United after Leighton Baines was ruled out due to ankle surgery, and the 19-year-old is set to retain his place
Aaron Lennon is unable to play against Spurs due to the terms of his loan deal, which means that Martinez could turn to Kevin Mirallas, Aiden McGeady or Steven Naismith to replace the winger.
Everton possible starting lineup:
Howard, Coleman, Galloway, Jagielka, Stones, McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Osman, Lukaku
Spurs possible starting lineup:
Lloris, Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose, Bentaleb, Mason, Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli, Kane
Head To Head
Roberto Soldado was the unlikely hero when he scored the winner in the reverse fixture back in November to help Spurs come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in North London.
It extended Tottenham's unbeaten run against Everton to four matches, but they travel to Merseyside without a win in any of their last seven visits to Goodison Park.
Jermaine Jenas scored an 89th-minute winner when Spurs last enjoyed a victory away to Everton in February 2007.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Everton 2-0 Spurs
Everton head into the game full of confidence after snatching a win against West Ham last weekend, and with Spurs possibly finding motivation tough on the final day of the season as they sit on the brink of reaching the Europa League again, the Toffees may sense an opportunity to pick up a win.
No Data Analysis info
