Baines-Townsend's fascinating battle will decide Everton-Spurs

From Football League loanee to the star man in England’s recent World Cup qualification, Andros Townsend‘s rise from obscurity to household name has been as rapid as it has been impressive.

The Tottenham academy product is now a fixture in Andre Villas-Boas’ starting XI, leaving club record £30 million summer signing Erik Lamela sat quietly on the bench. Surprising, but completely warranted.

But as eye-catching as his form has been, the 22-year-old is yet to find his explosive best when up against the league’s top teams. That may well have to change on Sunday if Spurs are to make it three wins on the bounce when they visit Goodison Park to face Everton.

Townsend will almost certainly be in direct opposition with Leighton Baines, another key player as the Three Lions secured their place in Brazil earlier this month and arguably the Premier League’s best full-back. It promises to be a cracker.

The Toffees left-back is well known for his attacking qualities but Townsend will provide him with his most difficult defensive test of the season so far. The former QPR loanee has attempted 68 take-ons in his eight appearances so far, completing 69% of them. That’s 17 more than fellow England youngster Ross Barkley who, with 30 successes to his name, has managed the second-most in the top-flight.

Ex-Wigan man Baines will need to continue – and maybe even improve – his impressive tackling statistics if he is to stop Townsend running riot, having won 86% of his 28 tackles so far this campaign. His 24 successes gives him the third-best return of any Premier League defender, with only Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward and Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta having managed more.

As well as driving forward and delivering crosses, Townsend must keep an eye on Baines’ own forays up the pitch and help out Kyle Walker whenever necessary. The former Manchester United target has completed 13 take-ons in his nine appearances and he will be sure to test the Spurs midfielder’s positioning and ability off the ball with his partner in crime Steven Pienaar.

Despite neither man having recorded an assist this season, both are creative influences within their own team. Townsend has created 14 chances so far, with Baines laying on 11. With the hosts often favouring their left-side when attacking and England’s newest star in standout form, the cameras could well be fixed on the pair come Sunday afternoon.

One area where the London-born midfielder needs to improve – this weekend and in general – is his passing. Although he’s seen plenty of the ball, his pass accuracy of 78% doesn’t match up with some of his more illustrious peers. In fact, it leaves him ranked way down in 231st in the league.

Townsend’s ability to pick a pass will be more important than ever when he faces Baines, given the defender’s mobility and reading of the game. Plus, with 10 interceptions, 28 clearances and and two blocks to his name already this season, the boyhood Evertonian has all the tools to seize on any mistakes or lapses in concentration.

Townsend has the pace, skill and, most importantly, the confidence to give Baines a tough afternoon at Goodison but he’ll need to put in a very special performance if he’s to torment the Everton full-back for the entire 90 minutes, as he has done with other opponents during his breakthrough campaign.

Baines has the ability and the experience to cope with the talented youngster, and he’ll fancy his chances going forward given Townsend’s mediocre defensive record and attacking focus.

Although the statistics don’t quite clear up who will come out on top on Sunday, they certainly suggest that we’re in for a compelling individual battle on Merseyside. You won’t want to miss it.