Tottenham Hotspur vs Watford
This will be a third meeting between the clubs this season and Watford have already given Spurs a bloodied nose and a mighty scare.
In early September they stunned the north Londoners on a memorable afternoon for the Hornets at Vicarage Road.
Then three weeks later, it took a penalty shoot-out for Spurs to prevail in the League Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men could certainly do with lady luck on their side as Watford arrive at Wembley in the Premier League.
Talking Points
That is because Spurs have had a heavy schedule of late and with injuries hitting their squad, plus the absence of Son Heung-Min at the Asian Cup, it’s no surprise they have suffered as a result.
Being knocked out of the League Cup semi-final hurt and their second setback in four days, an FA Cup exit at the hands of Crystal Palace, has led to some minor criticism.
The fact remains, however, that they have coped admirably well in the circumstances and any suggestions this Spurs side choke at the final hurdle are unfounded.
This SBOBET writer believes they have made great strides under Pochettino and, with a more in-depth squad and a return to the ‘new’ White Hart Lane imminent, could be on the verge of something special.
That is if, and it is an if, Pochettino stays at the club and is allowed investment to strengthen the squad with more quality.
There’s no doubt that this next six months could be a decisive period in Spurs’ modern history as they bid to add silverware to their undoubted Premier League highlights of recent years.
If their injuries clear up quickly, I expect them to claim a third-place finish in the league.
Victory in this would help and may even see Son return after South Korea were surprisingly eliminated at the quarter-final stage, although he is likely to be tired after travelling back to the UK.
The national team captain also complained of extreme fatigue during his 12-day stay at the tournament which suggests he’s unlikely to be thrown straight back into the starting line-up.
Watford boss Javi Gracia changed his entire starting XI for the weekend’s FA Cup tie at Newcastle. It didn’t stop the Spaniard from guiding his side to a place in the fifth round with a 2-0 win.
Semi-finalists in 2016, they would love a cup run to evoke memories of 1984 when the late Graham Taylor guided the underdogs all the way to a Wembley final against Everton – a period in the club’s history fondly remembered.
As Gracia celebrates a year in charge, a good result at Wembley in this league encounter would certainly further boost confidence.
Watford have nothing to lose with no threat to their Premier League safety – they lie in seventh place – and no real chance of making the top six (they trail Arsenal and Man Utd by 11 points).
Garcia has called upon his players to show their ambition in the second half of the campaign and, with Spurs’ resources stretching to breaking point, it could be a very good time to play them.
Yet with influential centre back Toby Alderweireld and playmaker Christian Eriksen both set to return after being rested for the FA Cup tie, Spurs should have enough – but it will be far from easy.
History
Watford’s success in September was their first victory over Spurs since a dramatic finish in 1987.
It also was their first win over them in the Premier League following three draws and three defeats.
Last season when the two sides met, Watford held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw after Christian Kabasele and Son traded early goals and Spurs played most of the second half with 10 men.
Spurs saw off the Hornets in the return Wembley fixture in April when Dele Alli and Harry Kane (both of whom will be missing this week) found the net in a 2-0 win.
Betting Tip
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Tottenham Hotspur vs Watford | Tottenham Hotspur Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.20 |
| January 31, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
Spurs are natural favourites with Premier League 2019 betting odds.
You can get 1X2 odds on them @ 1.66 and the draw has a certain appeal @ 3.70. Watford are priced 1X2 @ 5.20.
The Hornets are also a fairly attractive proposition with Asian Handicap betting + 0.75 @ 2.06.
Goals are often plentiful when these sides meet and you can get over 2.75 goals @ 2.00, total goal 2-3 @ 2.01 and total goal 4-6 @ 3.25.
If Watford are to throw a spanner in the works of Spurs’ bid for a top-three finish then how about double chance Watford or Draw @ 2.14?
Whereas for Spurs to avenge that September defeat, correct score 2-1 will pay out @ 6.80.
I am leaning towards a Spurs victory though.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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