PREM: Watford v Tottenham preview

Watford v Tottenham preview

Hugo Lloris will not feature for Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as they travel to Watford, with the goalkeeper suffering a thigh injury.

The Spurs captain did play during Monday's 3-0 win against Manchester United following news he was facing a drink-driving charge, but will not feature at Vicarage Road after suffering a strain.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned his side they will suffer if they start to believe they are the real deal after their impressive win at Old Trafford.

"The first half I wasn't happy and I translated that to the players. We need to fight against the perception," he said. "But of course the team showed character and in the second half we were much better.

 

"We need to show we are contenders during 10 months and we need to improve our performance. We're going to play on Sunday against a very good team - a team that's going to fight and is in a very good moment.

"After three games, they're over the moon. Of course, if we're not ready and we believe because we beat Manchester United 3-0 that all is fantastic, I think we are going to crash."

Watford have also begun the season well - winning their opening three Premier League games along with Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea - and were also drawn against Tottenham for the third round of the Carabao Cup after they beat Reading 2-0 on Wednesday.

 

Manager Javi Gracia wants his side to keep up their recent form, saying: "It won't be different than the other ones. For me, all the games are important and after winning three games, we know we have the chance to win another one at home with the support of our fans.

"Now, we feel comfortable, we feel stronger and we think we are able to go on in the same way."

 

Lloris will be joined on the sidelines by Moussa Dembele (hamstring) while Erik Lamela (hamstring) will be assessed and Victor Wanyama (knee) is back in full training. Son Heung-min is still away on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Games.

Gracia has a nearly fully fit squad to choose from, with on Tom Cleverley (Achilles) missing through injury. Nathaniel Chalobah limped off with cramp in midweek, but is set to be available while Miguel Britos has shaken off a knock.

 

Gerard Deulofeu can also be selected after returning to full training this week, but he may not be rushed back into the side too quickly.