Watford v Tottenham Hotspur: what time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
What is it?
A match that pits form against former glories. A team who have hauled themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone since appointing Nigel Pearson and taking four wins and a draw in their past five matches (that's Watford) take on a team that have lost their way since reaching the Champions League final little more than six months ago (that's Spurs).
When is it?
Saturday 18 January, 2020
What time is kick-off?
Action gets under way at 12.30pm at Vicarage Road. Michael Oliver is the referee in charge, with Kevin Friend on VAR duties.
What TV channel is it on?
This is a BT Sport 1 affair. Standard definition on channel 408 or high definition on channel 430. We're live blogging it at The Telegraph too, with tactics wonk JJ Bull. Expect average position maps. And arrows. Lots of arrows.
What is the team news?
For the hosts, new signing Ignacio Pussetto is available up front, after his £7m transfer from Udinese and Christian Kabasele is back after a ban. Possible injury returnees include Will Hughes and Kiko Femenia.
Tottenham are missing Harry Kane (possibly for the rest of the season) as well as Ben Davies, Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko. Toby Alderweireld is likely to get a recall, after being rested for the FA Cup replay. He says he stays at Spurs because he loves the club, not for the dosh.
What are Telegraph writers saying?
Chief Football writer Sam Wallace wrote his column this week about Christian Eriksen, who is running down his contract at Spurs.
"In this winding-down of one of the great Spurs careers of the Mauricio Pochettino era, a complicated story of opportunities missed on and off the pitch by both sides, Eriksen must accept his own part too. His formidable numbers are down this season – just two goals and two assists in 10 league starts, and 18 appearances overall – an average that compares unfavourably with the high standards set in previous years. It is a stand-off that has damaged both parties."
As for Watford, Rob Sills took a look at some of the players transformed remarkably quickly since Nigel Pearson took over as manager.
"Watford have only conceded only four goals in the six games of Pearson’s reign so far, including keeping two clean sheets - a record only bettered by Premier League leaders Liverpool in that time. In terms of points won over their each team's last six matches, Watford are the third most in-form team in the top flight. These are still the early stages of Pearson’s time at Watford, but the early signs suggest he can get far more out of the squad than their previous managers."
What are the odds?
Watford to win: 5/2 Draw: 13/5 Tottenham to win: 5/4
What's our prediction?
With Watford in the ascendant and Spurs struggling even before Mr Kane tore his hamstring, would it really be such a surprise if the home side won? Verdict: 2-1 Watford
