Watford v Tottenham: Hornets may hurt Spurs in high-scoring showdown

Watford v Tottenham
Saturday December 2, 15:00

Watford aiming to battle back

Watford seemed down and out as they trudged off for half-time of Tuesday night's clash with Manchester United at Vicarage Road. The Hornets had leaked three goals in 13 first-half minutes, shell-shocked by two stunners from Ashley Young and Anthony Martial's clinical finish.

But Marco Silva's men battled back after the interval. Switching to a back-four, substitutes Roberto Pereyra, Andre Carrillo and Troy Deeney all made their mark on the match as Watford pulled two goals back to set-up a grandstand finish before eventually leaking a spectacular and decisive fourth goal.

Will Hughes left the field with a hamstring injury and has been ruled out for Saturday's showdown while a rusty Sebastian Prodl is a doubt after an uncomfortable midweek appearance. Elsewhere, Younes Kaboul is close to returning to fitness and Miguel Britos will be assessed.

Tottenham struggling for form

Tottenham paid the price for some wasteful finishing when going down 2-1 at Leicester, leaving them with just one point from their last three Premier League fixtures. Manager Mauricio Pochettino was at a loss to explain where Spurs went wrong, labelling the performance "sloppy" and rueing poor finishing.

After trailing 2-0 at the break, Harry Kane did manage to pull one back for the Londoners with his 10th league strike of the season, but Christian Eriksen and Fernando Llorentefluffed close-range chances.

Tottenham will hope to have Harry Winks back in the fold with Pochettino possibly altering his system for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Erik Lamela made an impressive return in midweek and may feature with Eriksen appearing jaded and Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama still sidelined.

Hornets can hold their own

Watford 4.90 have suffered four defeats in their last six Premier League matches and collected only eight (38%) of their 21-point haul at Vicarage Road. A tough fixture list - including hosting four of the Big Six - has clouded those records but the Hornets may need to adapt their system to flourish on Saturday.

Marco Silva has persisted with his three-man defence and attacking approach against the Premier League's big-hitters and although four points (W1-D1-L3) from five games against the Big Six this season is reasonable, the Hertfordshire outfit haven't always looked defensively comfortable or street smart out of possession.

Tottenham's 1.77 reverse at Leicester was their fourth failure to pick up maximum points in five and with a title challenge in tatters, Spurs must now focus on sealing a place in the top-four. The visitors have been beaten in each of their last three away Premier League dates for the first time since March 2014.

With question marks hanging over the form and fitness of Spurs' leading lights, it's difficult to find the faith in supporting the away success at such short pre-match prices. So instead, back Watford in the Double Chance market at 2.28.

Goals forecast to flow

Watford have had some eye-watering encounters with top-six sides since the start of last season, with 14 of 17 such matches featuring at least three goals, while 11 saw four or more.

The Hornets have notched at least twice themselves in eight of their most recent nine encounters while eight of their last 10 Premier League battles have paid out for Over 2.5 Goals backers.

Spurs haven't been quite as profitable but four of their seven road trips this term have broken the Over 2.5 Goals barrier and a repeat at 1.70 appeals in what promises to be an entertaining affair at Vicarage Road.

Recommended Bets
Back Watford double chance @ 2.28
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.70