Tottenham vs Watford preview, predictions & possible XIs
Tottenham simply must bounce back from their two humiliating defeats before the international break when Watford come to town.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side followed up their record 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League with a surprise 3-0 loss at Brighton, leading to questions about the manager’s future.
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Watford have already responded to a run of poor form this season, bringing back ex-head coach Quique Sanchez Flores after sacking Javi Gracia.
But Flores is yet to secure the Hornets’ first league victory of the season, something they will be aiming to collect against a low-on-confidence Spurs.
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and more.
When is Tottenham vs Watford and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Saturday, 19 October 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Tottenham vs Watford
30 January 2019: Tottenham 2-1 Watford (Premier League)
26 September 2018: Tottenham 2-2 Watford (League Cup, Spurs win on penalties)
2 September 2018: Watford 2-1 Tottenham (Premier League)
30 April 2018: Tottenham 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
2 December 2017: Watford 1-1 Tottenham (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Tottenham (WDLWD) 8-6 Watford (LDWLD)
Ones to watch
Tottenham: Harry Kane
Like many of his teammates, Harry Kane looked jaded in the week leading up to the international break. But Monday’s 6-0 victory in Bulgaria appeared to reinvigorate the England captain, who should be raring to go again for Spurs.
It will be interesting to see if Pochettino deploys Kane in the hybrid role he has been playing for England, somewhere between a No. 9 and a No. 10. It certainly worked on Monday, but Watford may have taken notes on how Kane functions in that role.
Key stat: Kane scored and provided three assists for England against Bulgaria.
Watford: Craig Cathcart
If Watford are to successfully halt to the likes of Kane, Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura, they will need their captain and strongest centre-back Craig Cathcart to be on top form.
Remarkably, Cathcart scored in both fixtures against Tottenham last season, netting the winner at Vicarage Road and opening the scoring at Wembley before Spurs staged a late comeback. The 30-year-old will be key if Watford are to record their first league win of the campaign.
Key stat: Only Jose Holebas (40) has won more total duels than Cathcart (36) for Watford in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Tottenham
Hugo Lloris (elbow) joins Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Giovani Lo Celso (hip) on the list of long-term absentees, but Pochettino otherwise has a fully fit squad to select from.
Predicted XI: Gazzaniga; Foyth, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Winks, Ndombele; Lamela; Lucas Moura, Kane.
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Watford
Troy Deeney and Isaac Success remain sidelined with injuries. Gerard Deulofeu had to settle for a place on the bench last time out against Sheffield United, but the Spaniard could be useful on the counter here.
Predicted XI: Foster; Janmaat, Cathcart, Dawson, Kabasele, Holebas; Cleverley, Doucoure, Pereyra; Deulofeu, Welbeck.
Squawka prediction
Pochettino will feel the heat if Spurs don’t win this one and his players must know that. As a result, it’s difficult to see the hosts rolling over, particularly against winless Watford. Though it might be a tight, edgy contest.
Scoreline prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Watford
