PREM: Watford v Tottenham preview

Watford v Tottenham preview

Tottenham can move above Arsenal with a win at Watford in the first Premier League game of 2017.

The Gunners' fixture follows Watford versus Spurs on Sunday, and Tottenham could put added pressure on their rivals by displacing them in the top four.

Tottenham have won four of their last five league matches in December, but had failed to win any of their last eight games away from home in all competitions prior to Wednesday's 4-1 thrashing of Southampton.

Troy Deeney secured his 100th Watford goal in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, but the Hornets have lost their opening league game of a calendar year for five successive years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016).

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri wanted to rest his captain against the Eagles but was forced to bring him on after just 14 minutes, following an injury to Valon Behrami.

And Watford's injury issues mean Deeney may be needed from the start against Spurs.

"I will see because I need to understand what type of formation we are going to play up front," Mazzarri said. "Depending on that, we will see what kind of striker to use.

"For sure we have got (Odion) Ighalo and Deeney who are okay, but Jerome Sinclair is also available. I need to know how to rotate them."

Mazzarri could be without as many as nine first-team players for the visit of Spurs, and most of those will remain absent for the clash with Stoke just two days later.

Toby Alderweireld will return after a virus to boost Tottenham's defensive resources for the New Year's Day clash at Watford.

Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker are suspended for the Premier League encounter after collecting five bookings for one-match bans. Erik Lamela remains sidelined with a hip problem.