Team news, key stats and prediction ahead of Watford vs Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 12.30pm).
Team news
Kiko Femenia is unlikely to feature for Watford in their Premier League clash against Tottenham at Vicarage Road.
Femenia, who is recovering from a hamstring issue, has trained this week but manager Nigel Pearson believes the visit of Spurs will come too soon for the winger.
Will Hughes has also returned to training, but will not be in contention, while Sebastian Prodl (shin), Daryl Janmaat (knee), Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Tom Cleverley (foot) remain sidelined. Ignacio Pussetto is set to make his debut. Christian Kabasele returns from suspension.
New Tottenham signing Gedson Fernandes will be involved. The Benfica midfielder has joined on an 18-month loan this week and could be on the bench while Christian Eriksen will start.
Harry Kane (hamstring), Moussa Sissoko (knee), Ben Davies (ankle) and Tanguy Ndombele (hip) are all injured.
How to follow
Follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published at 5.15pm on Saturday on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
Opta stats
- Watford have won just one of their 13 Premier League matches against Tottenham (D4 L8), a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road last season.
- Spurs have won two of their last nine away league visits to Watford (D4 L3), picking up just a single point from their last two games at Vicarage Road (D1 L1).
- Watford are looking to win four consecutive home top-flight games within the same season for the first time since December 1986.
- Watford have won 13 points under manager Nigel Pearson (W4 D1 L1) - only runaway leaders Liverpool (15) and Manchester City (15) have won more points since his first game in charge. Indeed, the Hornets have won as many points in their last five Premier League games as they had in their previous 23 in the competition (13).
- Tottenham are one of just two sides yet to keep an away clean sheet in the Premier League this season, along with Aston Villa. Spurs have conceded in each of their last 18 away league games, their longest such run in the top-flight since April 1977 (a run of 20).
- Tottenham have lost their last two Premier League games - they haven't lost three consecutive league games since November 2012.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Tottenham will miss Harry Kane. They have survived before but he is their best player, so they will miss him. They have the same defence that they have had in the last three or four years. They still play the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Eric Dier and Harry Winks just in front, as well as adding Davinson Sanchez to that over the years. Where is the crisis? Is there really that much to worry about?
I heard the Tottenham fans were having a pop at Christian Eriksen. Why are they booing him? Did they boo Vertonghen, Alderweireld or Rose? No. Why focus on Christian Eriksen? He has been a fabulous player for them. They are back to being pessimists and searching for excuses.
Nigel Pearson has been honest and told his Watford team that they are good players. The defence are listening to Pearson as he knows what he is doing in that department. They are getting more and more belief, despite this being a tough match.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)