Tottenham Hotspur vs Watford 31/01/19

31 January 2019

The only Premier League outfit that is yet to play out a draw this term takes on a team that has seen three stalemates in their last four PL clashes as Tottenham Hotspur host Watford to the Wembley Stadium.

Severely weakened by the absence of Harry Kane, the hosts have to figure it out how to win without their headline performer. Faced with immense problems in the final third, the Spurs have scored one goal or less in four of their last five competitive outings. What’s more, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have failed to score over 1.5 goals per match in four of their previous five home clashes. But, the Argentinean can still rely on a solid defense that has kept a clean sheet in four of Tottenham’s last seven games at Wembley, allowing over 1.5 goals per match only once in the previous 11 encounters at this venue. Another encouraging fact for Pochettino is that Tottenham outplayed Watford in five consecutive PL home meetings, scoring 14 goals while conceding just one in the process.

Meanwhile, lossless in their last six competitive outings (W3, D3), the visitors hope to bring a disastrous road streak against Tottenham to an end. The Hornets have every reason to hope for a positive outcome considering they are unbeaten in the previous six competitive road clashes (W4, D2) in which they’ve scored 13 while conceded six in the process. The Golden Boys have a tendency to move up a gear in the second half, as five of the last six goals they’ve scored away from home arrived after the halftime break. Although Watford already conceded 32 goals in the Premier League this campaign, Javi Gracia’s men have improved defensively, conceding just one goal in their last four competitive games.

Provisional line-up – Tottenham Hotspur:

Gk: Lloris Defense: Rose – Vertonghen – Alderweireld – Davinson Sanchez – Trippier Midfield: Winks – Eriksen – Lamela Attack: Nkoudou – Fernando Llorente

Provisional line-up – Watford:

Gk: Ben Foster Defense: Holebas – Kabasele – Mariappa – Janmaat Midfield: Capoue – Cleverly – Pereyra – Deulofeu Attack: Ken Sema – Troy Deeney