Watford know better than anyone that it is possible to get carried away with promising starts to the season.
Marco Silva did not get his happy ending at Vicarage Road, which begs the question of whether Javi Gracia will be able to keep up his side’s impressive form this time around.
They have three wins from three and a maximum nine points – you don’t have to go too far to find similar form, however, as a short venture into north London sees Tottenham Hotspur also enjoying life alongside them in the top four.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men are riding high following a shock 3-0 victory away to Manchester United, just the third time they have achieved that feat in the Premier League era.
Whereas the Lilywhites are out to prove themselves as genuine title contenders, more pessimistic Watford fans will be wondering when the bubble is going to burst, fearing that it could be popped at its first real probing this weekend.
Nevertheless, there are a number of areas in which they will be looking to go toe-to-toe with Spurs, who only managed a 1-1 draw in last season’s visit.
Will Hughes vs Ben Davies
Much of the Hornets’ success so far has been achieved by hitting teams on the break. In just one of their three games so far – on the opening day against Brighton - have Watford enjoyed more possession than their opponents. Will Hughes has been key to creating space and what they do have of the ball is often largely directed by the 23-year-old, who has offered them another dimension in the way he creates opportunities for Troy Deeney and Andre Gray.
Pochettino handed Danny Rose a surprise start at Old Trafford but Ben Davies has been his first choice for some time now. Gracia’s strategy may depend on either left-back struggling to track back, particularly as Davies is so creative going forward.
Kieran Trippier (9) and Ben Davies (8) were directly involved in 17 goals across all competitions last season.
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Roberto Pereyra vs Toby Alderweireld
Roberto Pereyra is joint top-scorer in the Premier League, one of six players to have scored three so far. The Argentine’s strike against Brighton has been nominated for August Goal of the Month, but it is not just his technique that poses such a threat. Pereyra is strong on the ball and Spurs’ best option may be to force him out wide, where on occasion he can be marginalised.
Toby Alderweireld was a surprise inclusion against Fulham but has since been reiterating his importance to the defence; the Belgian is Spurs’ most effective centre-back when it comes to clearing their lines. The hosts’ best chance of exploiting him is in aerial battles with Deeney, but in all other areas, including against the tricky Pereyra, Alderweireld will expect to come out on top.
Christian Kabasele vs Lucas Moura
Lucas Moura picked United apart with a clinical display, scoring twice to follow up a fine goal in the 3-1 win over Fulham at Wembley. While it’s an old cliché that the Brazilian has been like a new signing, his game time was limited last season following his January move from PSG and it’s only now that Spurs fans are really seeing him as the answer to their prayers in the final third. It’s a strange state of affairs when the Watford defence may be more difficult to unlock than United’s, but the fact remains that only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than them in the early stages of the campaign.
Christian Kabasele will be the man tasked with halting those runs down the right and the Watford defender has been highly effective of late. Christian Benteke stood little chance against him in the Palace game and Moura’s pace is just another element for Kabasele to deal with.
Watford made 11 changes for their League Cup victory over Reading in midweek, which suggests they should be relatively fresh. When Spurs hit top form as they did against United, it is very difficult to stop them, but Pochettino will be conscious that three points are by no means guaranteed at Vicarage Road.
