Tottenham’s final day is about unity as much as points

Tottenham will travel by coach to their relegation showdown at home to Everton on Sunday so supporters can greet the team before kick-off. It is a clear attempt to project solidarity before a game that could decide survival, but it does not change the fact that Spurs still need the result to go their way. They are 17th in the Premier League and two points above the bottom three.

Why the travel plan matters

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi drew criticism last month after he and his players arrived four hours early and travelled in their own cars to his first home game in charge against Brighton. This time the club has gone the other way, and De Zerbi said: "I didn't know [their plans], but for the next time, if the people ask me to change the plan, no problem for me".

The move is about optics and not a rescue plan. Tottenham are on 38 points from 36 matches, with their last five league results reading DWWDL, so there is no obvious cushion of form behind them. Everton are 12th on 49 points, which means they are not in the relegation fight themselves, but they can still decide what happens to Spurs.

The protest will still come

Change for Tottenham are planning to unfurl protest banners at full-time and are calling on supporters to "join us to chant against the board and make your voices heard". That will happen whatever the scoreline is. The club can stage a coach arrival to show togetherness, but it cannot control how fans react after a season that has left Tottenham staring at the bottom three.

The survival maths is still tight. West Ham sit 18th on 36 points, and there are nine different permutations that will decide who finishes 17th and who drops to 18th and the Championship. If Tottenham lose to Everton and West Ham beat Leeds, Spurs will be relegated. Sunday is supposed to be a show of unity, but it is still a final-day relegation test first.