Tottenham are enjoying a strong run of form at present and have a great opportunity to keep up the pressure on the top four when they host an out of sorts Watford side on New Year’s Day. The Hornets have lost four of their last six games and will struggle to break down Tottenham’s stubborn defence, while Harry Kane will fancy his chances of leading Spurs to victory against a limited Watford backline.
Once again White Hart Lane has been a fortress this season. Only league leaders Chelsea have a better home record than Tottenham. Mauricio Pocchetino’s men have won seven and drawn two of their nine home games this season, but have struggled on the road, leaving them outside the top four. In front of their home fans, however, they have been sensational, scoring 19 and conceding just five.
Watford are a bit of an inconsistent team, liable to go on a decent run of form but also to plummet down the table by going through a sticky patch. They are in one of those sticky patches at present, and the draw at home to relegation-threatened Crystal Palace last time out did little to dampen the pessimism. Watford have lost four in six, but they are still 10th in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone, a comfortable gap. They have been better at home than away: on the road they have won just two of their nine games, drawing two and losing five times on their travels.
This really looks like a poor away side travelling to a magnificent home side, and it is hard to look past the Tottenham win here. Sky Bet is offering a very generous 1.80 on the Tottenham home win, a great price compared to rival bookmakers. Tottenham have won their last four home league games in a row, while Watford have lost their last four away games, so that really looks a great bet.
If you want to get more value, you might consider Tottenham winning to nil. They have conceded a mere five goals in their nine home games this season, and the Watford strikers are enduring a horrible goal drought. Troy Deeney scored a penalty last game but hadn’t scored before that for months, and Odion Ighalo also hasn’t scored for months. Watford have failed to score in their last two away games and will struggle to get a look in against Tottenham’s talented defence. Jan Vertonghen has been an absolute colossus this season, while Hugo Lloris is a steady presence in goal and Victor Wanyama has patrolled the midfield extremely well. Spurs defend as a team and press teams hard all over the pitch. Watford have looked sluggish of late and were second best throughout against Palace in their last game, so they are liable to be overwhelmed by Tottenham’s all action approach on New Year’s Day, despite enjoying a couple of extra days’ rest. Tottenham winning to nil is 2.75 with Boylesports and that looks like an excellent bet.
Tottenham’s main attacking threat will come from Kane, who has been in excellent form since returning from injury. Spurs struggled badly in his absence, but have been on an upward march since he returned to the side. He is the focal point of Tottenham’s attacks has been banging in plenty of goals and will fancy his chances of adding to his tally against a leaky Watford defence that has shipped 17 goals in nine away games. He is 2.15 with William Hill to score at any time and that looks an excellent bet.
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