Big Match Breakdown: Tottenham v Watford
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Preview and tips head of big game
Monday night football sees a Premier League clash between Watford and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.
There was a touch of a dead rubber about the game a couple of weeks ago. But with Chelsea breathing down their necks now, Tottenham really need to win.
A Champions League place is at stake and Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate for his side to retain their top-four place.
The Coral News Team go in-depth ahead of the fixture with a Big Match Breakdown…
Head-To-Head
Spurs have maintained an excellent record against Watford in recent years. Up until the 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road in December, Pochettino’s outfit had won the last seven meetings in a row.
In fact, the Hornets haven’t beaten Tottenham since 1987 – over 30 years ago. And you’d have to go back to 1985 for the Hertfordshire club’s last away win against Spurs.
Likely XIs
Pochettino is the advantageous position of having a practically fully fit squad. Harry Winks is the only absentee with a long-term injury.
Rumours continue to link Toby Alderweireld with a summer exit so Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen are likely to continue together. Spurs’ XI pretty much picks itself these days when everyone is fit.
For Javi Gracia, it’s a different story. Tommie Hoban, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu, and Younes Kaboul are definitely out. Sebastian Prodl, Andre Carrillo, Roberto Pereyra, and Troy Deeney are all injury doubts.
Richarlison, Kiko Femenia and Daryl Janmaat could come into the starting XI.
Key Battles
Gracia’s men could be cannon fodder here if they don’t front up against a strong Spurs side.
The Hornets are decent in the middle of the park with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue. The pair are big, physical and technically decent. And they’ll need to bring their A-game against Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele.
If the latter pair dominate the ball, Watford are in big trouble. But if Watford’s midfield twosome can get in amongst them and disrupt Spurs’ rhythm, then they’ll have a chance.
Match Odds
Tottenham are heavy favourites at 1/6 to win. Watford are big outsiders at 16/1, with the draw at 13/2.
In truth, Watford have been on their holidays since nearly half-way through the season. The Hornets haven’t won away from home since the end of November, losing 10 of their last 11 away games.
Combine that with their awful record against Spurs and you can see why the North London side’s odds are so low.
When a side such as Watford have nothing to play for, their motivation is low. But they can also play with a bit more freedom. Can we expect a goal from them? Both Teams To Score is 11/10. And it’s 7/4 for Tottenham to win and both teams finding the net.
Harry Kane has only scored once since that now infamous goal against Stoke City. The England forward is 19/10 to score first against a leaky Hornets’ defence.
Son Heung-min has form against Watford with four goals in his last five appearances against them. He’s 21/20 to hit the onion bag Anytime.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
