Prediction: Tottenham vs Watford

Verdict: Tottenham win & Under four goals

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Making their final Premier League appearance before heading into the international break, Spurs will welcome Watford to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might have been stunned by that first-leg 1-0 defeat out in Portugal last week, Spurs did manage to complete their European turnaround on Thursday night. Eventually storming their way to a 3-0 romp against Paços Ferreira on home soil, new boss Nuno Espírito Santo saw his side extend on their Conference League adventure. Welcoming back attacking talisman Harry Kane in midweek after what has been a rollercoaster summer for the England skipper, the former Wolves boss should be looking to lay down another marker this weekend. With their attacking talisman bagging himself a brace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last time out, the Lilywhites have largely impressed since opening the 2021/22 campaign. Including a shock 1-0 victory against defending champions Manchester City on August 15th, another win on Sunday will see Spurs head into the international break with a 100% record.

Team News

Bagging a brace on Thursday night and handed the captain’s armband, Harry Kane looks set to make his first Premier League start on Sunday afternoon.

Likewise, also impressing in North London earlier in the week, summer arrival Bryan Gil loos like he should feature at some point this weekend.

Watford

As for the visitors, while Watford would have been disappointed to have suffered that deserved 2-0 defeat away at Brighton last weekend, Xisco Muñoz’s side did pick up an immediate morale boost in midweek. Despite making a host of changes, the Hornets landed a 1-0 win against fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace on EFL Cup duties and the mood in their camp should still be at a high. Making an immediate top-flight return at the first attempt last season, Sunday’s guests have gained plenty of plaudits since appointing the one-time Valencia winger last year. Opening up the 2021/22 campaign with what was an action-packed 3-2 victory against Aston Villa on home soil, Xisco’s side will also be boosted by what is a largely rugged record against Spurs. Managing to snatch back-to-back points when they faced off against Tottenham in their previous Premier League run, Watford have lost just one of their last five competitive meetings against this weekend’s hosts.

Team News

Midfielder Juraj Kucka remains a doubt for Sunday’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Slovakian missed last weekend’s defeat at Brighton with a thigh injury.

Keeper Ben Foster will also miss Sunday with a small hamstring problem that he picked up during Tuesday night’s victory over Crystal Palace.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Sunday’s opponents last faced off in the 2019/20 campaign, they played out back-to-back stalemates.
• Tottenham have opened up the new Premier League season with back-to-back 1-0 wins against Manchester City and Wolves.
• Continuing on from last season, Spurs have won 10 of their last 12 competitive home fixtures across all formats.
• Likewise, continuing on from their last Premier League run, Watford have collected just a single point from their last nine top-flight away fixtures.
• Continuing from their Championship run last season, Watford’s last five competitive away fixtures have seen under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Extending on their Conference League adventure earlier in the week with a thumping 3-0 win against Paços Ferreira, Tottenham should be smelling a chance to pick up another boost on home soil. Opening the 2021/22 campaign with back-to-back 1-0 Premier League wins against Wolves and defending champions Manchester City, new boss Nuno Espírito Santo will also be boosted by the return of Harry Kane in midweek. With the England skipper bagging himself a brace, Watford might face a stern test in North London this weekend. Despite picking up an EFL Cup win against Crystal Palace, the Hornets were last seen on the road getting hit with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton and we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Tottenham win & Under four goals

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Unibet