Tottenham v Watford
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Champions League spot can be sealed

Spurs come into Monday night's clash with Watford knowing that three points should be sufficient to earn them a Champions League place for next season. They faltered last time away at Brighton, leaving the Amex with a draw and that result has been book-ended with defeats to both Manchester clubs, latterly to United in the FA Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino set tongues wagging with his post-match comments last weekend, referencing a potential departure from the club. But it's more likely that his words were a thinly veiled swipe at Daniel Levy in a bid to boost the Argentine's transfer kitty, than an exit through the Wembley gift shop.
Danny Rose returned to training this week which could prove to be a timely boost while Harry Winks remains side-lined.

Injuries likely to blunt top-half challenge

Watford have secured just two points from their last six games but the last time they played on a Monday night, they ran out memorable 4-1 winners against Chelsea. Hornets fans have endured a largely stop-start season and once again it's anyone's guess as to which side will show up at Wembley.
Javi Gracia does have an array of injury issues to deal with however with Nathaniel Chalobah, Younes Kaboul, Tom Cleverley, Sefano Okaka all likely to miss out and Roberto Pereya and Gerard Deulofeu doubtful.

Stats stacked against Hornets

According to Opta, Spurs are unbeaten in their last 12 matches against Watford in all competitions (W9 D3) and furthermore, the Hornets have lost their last seven away games against Tottenham.
The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in December but that game was largely put to bed after Davinson Sanchez was sent off after half-time. Spurs still looked much the better side that day and they were enduring a tough time of things at the end of November - winless in four games.
There's a case to be made for them arriving into this game under similar circumstances but I wouldn't read too much into the 1-1 draw with Brighton as Chris Hughton's side are tremendously well organised at home and present a very different challenge to that of Watford.
Javi Gracia's side would do well to learn from the Seagulls as they'll have to play in a much more compact fashion than they have been this season, if they're to blunt the creativity of Alli and Eriksen.
The 1.18 available for the Spurs win clearly represents very little value but the fact that the Hornets have failed to score in four of their last six league games is a pointer towards the 8/11 available on the Betfair Sportsbook for Tottenham to win to nil.
If you're of the opinion that Watford can come away with something then you'll be handsomely rewarded with the away win chalked up at 21.00 and the draw at 9.00.

Spurs could run riot

The last nine meetings between these sides have averaged 2.78 goals but largely in favour of Spurs who have outscored the Hornets by 20 goals to five; that figure swings even further in the home side's favour in games at White Hart Lane where they've netted on 12 occasions to Watford's one.
The onus for goals therefore largely falls on the Lilywhites and they've scored two or more in their last six League games, averaging 2.85 for the season so the 1.47 for Over 2.5 goalsseems a logical way to go, albeit on the skinny side.

Ever-reliable Eriksen

For all the headlines that Mo Salah has grabbed this year, there's only one name on my shortlist for player of the season - Christian Eriksen. The Dane has enjoyed his finest campaign to date for Spurs and with four games left to go, he doesn't look to be losing his edge.
According to Opta, he's been involved in eight goals in his last seven games in all competitions (5 goals, 3 assists) and with Harry Kane - rightly - a short price at 3/10 to net anytime, look to Eriksen at 7/5 to weave some Monday night magic.

Referee Watch - Michael Oliver

If the reverse fixture this season is anything to go by, this could be a fiery encounter and Michael Oliver hasn't been card shy in recent games, handing out five in his last League game and nine when taking charge of Real Madrid v Juventus in the Champions League earlier in the month.
RECOMMENDED BETS
Back Spurs to win to nil at 8/11 (Sportsbook)
Back Christian Eriksen to score anytime at 7/5 (Sportsbook)

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