Watford v Tottenham Hotspur
Football: FA Cup 4th Round
Friday 27 January 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV

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Watford

This is what the FA Cup is all about as Watford get ready to take on an opponent from the Premier League, an opponent that is not situated to far away geographically either. Watford are having a tough time as expected in the Championship, but there are enough positive vibes from the club to suggest they will be good enough to at least maintain their position in that Division.

The Hornets are 18th in the Championship and they hold a 6 point lead over Nottingham Forest in the final relegation spot. The League is always been a tight one and it is telling that they are only 13 points off the sides in the Play Offs so a few wins can see them propel themselves up the table. Watford are 5-4-5 at Vicarage Road this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding 20.

The team have not been in great form coming into this game as they have lost their last 3 League games with the only win in that coming against Bradford City in the 3rd Round of this competition. Watford were beaten 1-2 here last time out against Reading, but they had been on a 8 game unbeaten run here before that loss.

Adrian Mariappa has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, but he is still set to start at the heart of the Watford defence.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have been preparing for this game without their manager Harry Redknapp who is in court on a tax evasion charge. Redknapp was due in court on Friday, but is still expected to be on the sideline on Friday night, while Spurs have managed without him earlier this season as Redknapp was in surgery.

Tottenham have been flying high in the Premier League, currently sitting in 3rd place in the table. The aim this season was always to get back into the Champions League and they are very much in line to produce that, while they are 8 points behind Manchester City at the top of the table. Spurs have a 6-2-3 away record this season, scoring 20 goals and conceding 15, meaning only Manchester United have won more games on their travels.

A 3-2 defeat at City last time out looks respectable on paper, but Spurs deserved so much more from an impressive performance. However, it also means they have failed to win any of their last 2 games since winning 3 in a row in all competitions, including a 3rd Round win over Cheltenham Town at White Hart Lane. Spurs have failed to win any of their last 2 away games, while they have won just 2 of 5 away games in Cup competitions this season.

There were a few knocks in the Tottenham squad following the game with City and they could be rested with 2 Premier League games coming up in the week following this game. Gareth Bale, Scott Parker and Younes Kaboul are doubtful, while Ledley King will not be playing. I expect a couple more changes with players like Jermain Defoe, Jake Livermore and Niko Kranjkar hoping to be given chances.

Head to Head

These two last met in the 2008/09 Carling Cup competition, with Tottenham coming away from Vicarage Road with a 1-2 win.

Spurs had failed to win in their previous 2 visits to this ground, both in Premier League fixtures.

Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur look a little short for me considering they will be resting a number of players for the tie, although I do expect they will get through after a tough battle. It has been made clear all season that Spurs want to finish in the top 4, so I expect Harry Redknapp will give some fringe players an opportunity tonight.

Watford have been tough to beat at home in recent weeks, despite losing their last game to Reading, and you have to think they will be pumped up playing a Friday night game in front of the TV cameras. However, they are coming up against a side that has plenty of confidence and with a lot of quality in depth.

With the markets all being saturated and thus losing a little bit of value, I think it may be worth chancing Jermain Defoe to score at anytime at odds against.

Defoe scored one and could have had another at Manchester City last Sunday and I expect he will be given his chance considering Emmanuel Adebayor should be restored to the side in the game against Wigan next Tuesday.

I expect Defoe does get a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet tonight and the 2.25 on offer at BetFred looks a little high here.

The Pick :

Watford 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Jermain Defoe to score anytime @ 2.25 (BetFred)