Watford know better than anyone in the Premier League that it’s not possible to get carried away with strong performance to the season with three wins from three so far in the new season.
Nevertheless, there are a number of areas in which they will be looking to go toe-to-toe with Spurs, who only managed a 1-1 draw in last season’s visit.
Tottenham, on the other hand, are flying high following their 3-0 shocking victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United, just the third the Spurs have achieved in the Premier League.
That being said, we have highlighted six players attentions will be focused on this Sunday having already showed how deadly they are in front of goal.
Will Hughes vs Ben Davies
Much of Watford’s success so far this season has been achieved by hitting their rivals on the break. Their opening fixture against Brighton and Hove Albions saw them enjoyed more possession than their opponents. This success has mostly been architected by Will Hughes who has been creating space and what they do of the ball is directed by the 23-year-old, offering his teammates another dimension from midfield in the way he creates opportunities for Troy Deeney and Andre Gray.
Tottenham, on the other hand, despite handing Danny Rose a surprise start against Manchester United last week, they would probably field Ben Davies on Sunday who has been Pochettino’s first choice in left-back. Watford’s midfield holding down Davies, who is creative going forward, will depend on how well their left-back can track back.
Roberto Pereyra vs Toby Alderweireld
Roberto Pereyra is among top-scorer in the Premier League right now, one of six players to have netted three goals so far. The Argentina international’s goal against Brighton has been nominated for August Goal of the Month. It’s technicality Pereyra possess that poses such a threat for Tottenham, as he’s strong on the ball and the Lillywhites’ best option may be to force him to play out wide, where on occasion he can be marginalized.
No one was expecting Toby Alderweireld to play against Fulham but the Belgian has since been showing why he’s Tottenham’s undisputed king at defence. He’s the north London club most effective centre-back when it comes to clearing the lines. Watford’s best option of exploiting Alderweireld is in aerial battles with Deeney, but trying to beat him in all other areas, the Belgium will surely hold them down.
Christian Kabasele vs Lucas Moura
Lucas Moura tored Man United apart with a superb display, finding the net twice to follow up with his fine goal in the 3-1 win over Fulham at Wembley. While Lucas appears like Spurs new signing, it was his lack of adequate playing time last season since he joined in January from Paris Saint-Germain and it’s only now fans are really seeing what their last season signing was.
However, with Watford boasting of more defensive tactics, they won’t come cheap unlike Man United’s, but it should be noted that only Liverpool among the top “Big Six” have conceded fewer goals than Spurs in the early stages of the season.
Christian Kabasele will be the man tasked with creating havoc down the right and the Watford defender has been highly effective of late. Christian Bentake could stand no chance against him in the Palace game and Moura’s pace is just another one for Kabasele to deal with.
There were 11 changes to Watford’s team that played Reading in League Cup over Reading in midweek, which suggests they should be heading into this clash relatively fresh. Tottenham, however, when on top form as they showed against Man United, it’s always difficult to stop them, but they also, will head into this clash with no thought of earning all three points against strong Watford’s side.