Saturday sees Tottenham take on Watford at White Hart Lane, with Spurs’ Champions League hopes given a massive boost.
Tuesday’s comprehensive 3-0 away at Norwich and Arsenal’s draw at home to Southampton, means Spurs now sit third in the Premier League, with a win against The Hornets potentially putting pressure on both Manchester City and Leicester City.
But Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have European ambitions of their own and a win for them would put them within touching distance of a Europa League spot.
Heung-min Son’s last-gasp winner was the difference between the two sides at Vicarage Road, something which the visitors wouldn’t have forgotten coming into the weekend’s game.
Tottenham
With a poor record against Norwich in recent years, Tottenham couldn’t afford to slip up against their bogey side.
However, what transpired was a dominant and spirited performance with Harry Kane and Dele Alli once again on the scoresheet as Spurs stopped The Canaries from singing.
The result was huge considering they are now above Arsenal into third place and Mauricio Pochettino’s side have now made it five wins in a row in all competitions, the last four coming on the road.
With the January transfer window been and gone, Spurs did well to ship out Federico Fazio and Alex Pritchard will be hoping for Premier League experience on loan to West Bromwich Albion.
But no signings, especially strikers, will be somewhat disappointing to many Spurs fans.
Although it’s wise not to upset the balance of the side, it would have been seen as wise to have brought someone in as an insurance policy for Kane.
Fulham’s reluctance to let Moussa Dembele join Tottenham outright means he’ll probably be brought into the team in the summer.
Spurs’ reverse fixture against Watford was a tricky tie with Tottenham having to withstand heavy pressure towards the latter stages, including Hugo Lloris clawing Ben Watson’s corner off the line.
But in front of a home crowd, Tottenham will be confident in making it six wins on the trot with everybody currently on song.
Watford
Watford have exceeded all expectations this season, but had to overcome a difficult spell recently.
Since toppling Liverpool 3-0 at home in December, The Hornets went on a five-match winless run, losing their last four, prior to beating Newcastle United and drawing with Chelsea.
Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney’s strong partnership has taken a small dive, with Ighalo registering just two goals in his last seven games and Deeney unable to score in his last five.
Despite their scoring struggles, Watford still find themselves ninth and with a great chance to challenge for a Europa League spot.
Their midfield remains imperiously strong and they even bolstered it in the winter window, with the capture of Rennes midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure and Fiorentina’s Mario Suarez complimenting Norodin Amrabat of Malaga.
Tough to break down and quick on the counter, Watford should have taken two points off of Spurs when they met earlier in the season, but Saturday will be the chance to exact retribution.
Last time out
28th December 2015 – Watford 1-2 Tottenham
The Tottenham view: Mauricio Pochettino, manager
“We will expect a very difficult game. They played very well against a good team like Chelsea.
“You can see they are a very good team with good players and I like a lot of what they do.
“Quique is a good manager and we need to be focused and on our game because they are a good team.” (The Express)
The Watford view: Jose Holebas, defender
“We have to believe we can win because if you go there and be scared you’ve already lost.
“I’ve learnt many things now and if you’re scared from the first minute you’ve already lost the game.
“You have to be respectful of course but you have to keep on going and see what will happen in the end.” (Watford)
Prediction
Watford haven’t won away from home since December and Spurs’ excellent form means the home side will be just too much for Watford.
Tottenham 2-0 Watford
