Preview
Watford vs Tottenham Betting Tips
Sunday, 01/01/2017
Vicarage Road
Bet on Tottenham to win and BTTS at 11/4 odds
Tottenham could displace their North London rivals Arsenal temporarily from the fourth position if they manage to win their Sunday afternoon match against Watford at Vicarage Road. The Lilywhites are haunting for a UCL spot and heading into the game on New Year’s Day, they will be just one point shy of the European elite zone. Tottenham won their first away game at Southampton last Wednesday after going winless in their last five Premier League trips to opposition grounds. Mauricio Pochettino would be eager to pick up another win on the road as a daunting visit from the Premier League leaders Chelsea approaches nearer.
Walter Mazzari avoided a home defeat against Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace last week but he can’t be much buoyed about his side’s performance. It was the visitors who had cornered the home team from the start and took the lead in the 26th minute through a Yohan Cabaye goal. Palace had the golden opportunity to seal the match as they were awarded a penalty but Benteke’s feeble shot was easily denied by Heurelho Gomes. Watford leveled the score in the 70th minute as Troy Deeney made no mistake to send the ball past the goalkeeper from the penalty spot, scoring his 100th goal for Watford in the process.
TEAM NEWS
- Watford
Daryl Janmaat and Valon Behrami were both forced off the field early in the game against Crystalo Palace. Their absences would further limit Mazzari’s options who already has a long list of injured players. Miguel Britos will serve a one match suspension for his fifth booking of the season.
Injuries: Daryl Janmaat(groin), Adrian Mariappa(knee), Roberto Pereyra(knee), Valon Behrami(hamstring), Isaac Success(muscle)
Doubt: Stephano Okaka(hamstring)
Suspension: Miguel Britos(1 match)
- Tottenham Hotspur
Toby Alderweireld could return after recovering from a virus infection but Kyle Walker and Jan Vertonghen will miss out for picking up their fifth yellow against Southampton.
Injury: Erik Lamela(hip)
Doubt: Toby Alderweireld(illness)
Suspensions: Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen(1 match)
PREDICTION
The Hornets did win four out of their last seven home fixtures but Tottenham should be able to return from Vicarage Road un-stung. 3-1 for the visitors is our verdict.
Bet on Tottenham to win and BTTS at 11/4 odds
RECENT FORM
- Tottenham Hotspur(5th in the league, last 5 matches in all competitions)
4-1(Away, Southampton)2-1(Home, Burnley)3-0(Home, Hull)0-1(Away, Man United)3-1(UCL, Home, CSKA Moscow)
- Watford(10th in the league, last 5 matches in all competitions)
1-1(Home, Crystal Palace)0-1(Away, Sunderland)0-2(Away, Man City)3-2(Home, Everton)1-3(Away, West Brom)
HEAD TO HEAD
Total Played | Watford wins | Spurs wins | Draws |
41 | 7 | 26 | 8 |
LAST MEETING
6 February, 2016
White Hart Lane
Premier League
Tottenham 1-Watford 0
INTERESTING FACTS
- Watford have never beaten Tottenham in a Premier League match, drawing twice and losing four.
- Spurs’ win in this exact fixture in December 2015 is their only victory in their last six league trips to Vicarage Road (D3 L2).
- Watford’s last game on New Year’s Day in the league ended in a 4-3 loss to Charlton, which they led 3-2 going into the final 20 minutes.
- Tottenham have won each of their last four Premier League games on New Year’s Day, most recently beating Chelsea 5-3 in 2015.
- In fact, Spurs haven’t lost their first Premier League game of a calendar year since 2009 (0-1 at Wigan).
- Watford have lost their opening league game of a calendar year for five successive years now (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016).
- Harry Kane has scored seven goals in his last eight Premier League appearances in January.
- Watford’s only three Premier League clean sheets in their last 23 games came consecutively at the end of October – they have conceded in each of their last eight matches.
- The Hornets have conceded 12 more goals this season (30) than they had after 18 Premier League games last season (18).
- Troy Deeney has scored against 38 different opposition sides during his Watford career in all competitions, but he’s never scored against Spurs (three apps).
- Harry Kane could make his 100th Premier League appearance in this match. Kane has 57 goals in 99 PL apps so far – only eight players have scored more than this in their opening 100 Premier League appearances.