Tottenham Hotspur are arguably Chelsea’s biggest title rivals for the end-of-the-season run-in and if anyone is going to catch them at the top of the Premier League, it’s going to be Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Spurs fans here in the Tavern have been delighted with results of late and you can only imagine their frustration as it looks to be yet another Premier League campaign that ends in disappointment.
But with a handful of games still to go, there’s no reason why Spurs can’t continue to push Antonio Conte’s team right to the death and who knows, they might slip up at the last hurdle. Take look at the Crystal Palace game for example.
But attention this weekend turns to Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, when Pochettino welcomes Watford to White Hart Lane. It’s a game Spurs should have enough quality to win and our landlord is tipping an easy home victory.
And on this occasion, we agree with him, if Pochettino gets his team selection absolutely spot on.
So with that in mind, here’s the Spurs team we think will destroy the Hornets this weekend…
GK: Hugo Lloris
No surprises here in the slightest.
Hugo Lloris has been ever-present in the Spurs XI this season and there’s absolutely no reason that will be changing for the visit of Watford this weekend.
Lloris will be hoping the likes of Deeney and Ighalo both have quiet afternoons.
RB: Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier has been in fine form for Spurs over the past couple of weeks and he’ll be keeping his place in the starting XI for the game against Watford too.
Consistent in defence and sometimes devastating going forward, it’s his delivery that has caused problems for many teams this season and expect Watford to struggle with his quality.
CB: Jan Vertonghen
Belgian international Jan Vertonghen is a mainstay in this Spurs side and he’ll be hoping to have a strong game against the Hornets to ensure his side continue to keep pace with leaders Chelsea.
He’s by far one of the landlords favourite players in this defence so expect him to be raving if he plays well yet again!
CB: Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld has really stepped it up this season and he’s looking stronger and stronger as the season goes on.
He’s a player that Pochettino should certainly be offering a new deal to in the summer, or he’ll risk losing him to a rival side. Certainly a player who could lead Spurs to the top of the Premier League in years to come.
LB: Ben Davies
Like Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies has had to really bide his time for a starting place in this Spurs side but now he’s in, he’s looking very good indeed.
The quality he has on the ball both in defence and going forward are a massive help to the Spurs side and he’s a player that adds fantastic competition and depth to the left-hand side of the team.
CDM: Moussa Sissoko
With Victor Wanyama expected to be out for this game through injury, expect Moussa Sissoko to come into the side for a rare appearance in a Spurs shirt.
He’s struggled for game-time this season but has a big point to prove to justify the millions that were spent on him this summer.
The landlord wants a big performance from the Frenchman this weekend.
CDM: Mousa Dembele
Expect another Belgian star to slot into the midfield for the game against Watford and that’s experienced Mousa Dembele.
He’s been at the club for a long time now and knows what it takes to really break into the big four at the top of the table. But this season, could Dembele be part of a squad that pushes Chelsea all the way to the last day of the season?
RM: Dele Alli
Played out wide for England during their qualifying win against Lithuania, there’s absolutely no reason why Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino shouldn’t follow suit and give Dele Alli a chance out on the flank either.
He’s proved once again to be a versatile and impactful player in this Spurs side and he’s a man that’s absolutely adored by the Spurs faithful here in the pub.
CAM: Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen is another player who has been superb this campaign and the landlord feels that it’s only a matter of time before one of the biggest clubs in the world comes in with an offer for his services.
So whilst they still have him, Spurs should certainly be trying to get the best out of him going forward and ensure he stays in tip-top form between now and the end of the season.
LM: Georges N’Koudou
We haven’t seen a lot of French winger Georges N’Kodou throughout this campaign but with injuries forcing Mauricio Pochettino to make changes, he might be a player that really has to step up in the coming weeks.
He’s got the pace, quality and goalscoring ability to make a difference at the Lane but fans are a little reserved about him because of his continued expulsion from the side. He just needs a chance.
ST: Heung-Min Son
South Korean forward Heung-Min Son has been knocking on the door for most of the campaign and in the absence of both Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen, he’s one of a number of players that has extremely big boots to fill during the England star’s injury layoff.
But he’s proven on many occasions this season that he’s up to that task and expect him to start the game against Watford this weekend.
