Premier League preview and odds: Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur

Published on: 01/01/2017

Premier League preview and odds: Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur

January 01, 2016 14:30pm - Vicarage Road

Referee: M. Oliver

Premier League

Watford will look to break a three-game winless streak and haul themselves up to ninth in the table when they welcome top-four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur to Vicarage Road on New Year`s Day. The visitors themselves can move into fourth place with a win.

One defeat in last seven at home for Watford

In recent weeks, Watford`s home form has enabled them to maintain their status as a mid-table side while they have struggled for points on the road. The Hornets have lost just one game on home soil since August, having won four and drawn the other two. Their only defeat in that seven-game run came against fellow mid-table dwellers Stoke City (0-1).

Walter Mazzarri`s men have beaten seventh-ranked Everton, sixth-ranked Manchester United and will now look to claim the scalp of the fifth-ranked team in the league. The most obvious concern for the Hertfordshire club will be their lack of clean sheets, having achieved just one at home all season, and their continuing injury problems.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to move back into the top four (for a couple of hours at least) by securing their fourth-straight Premier League win. While their recent form looks good, their away record remains unconvincing, with just one win in their last six outings. However, that win was a convincing 4-1 hammering of Southampton last time out. Prior to that game, the North Londoners had scored just three goals in their previous five away games.

Mauricio Pochettino`s men are currently 13 points adrift in the title race but can keep themselves well and truly in the hunt for a Champions League place with a win on Sunday.

Team news

Miguel Britos is suspended for the home side who will also have to make do without several key players due to injury. Those currently under treatment are Isaac Success (hamstring), Daryl Janmaat (groin), Valon Behrami (hamstring), Roberto Pereyra (muscle), Stefano Okaka (hamstring), Adrian Mariappa (knee) and Brice Dja Djedje (foot).

Meanwhile, Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen are both suspended for the visitors, while Erik Lamela is still out injured. However, Toby Alderweirweld could return after a spell out through illness.

Recent form (League):

Watford: DLLWD

Tottenham Hotspur: WWWLW

Betting odds and tips

Watford are a stubborn team at home but they are struggling with injuries and could find it tough going against a Spurs side finding their way back to form.

The home side have only kept one clean sheet at home this season and this combined with Spurs` return to goal-scoring form makes the Over 2.5 Goals bet look tempting.

You can back Over 2.5 Goals at a price of 4/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 01/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (01/01/2017 12:15:17) but are subject to change.