Everything on... Watford

We welcome Watford to Wembley on Wednesday night as we return to Premier League action, looking to redress our defeat to the Hertfordshire-based outfit back in September as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Here's everything you need to know about Javi Gracia's side ahead of the 8pm kick-off...

Team news

Gracia will be without defenders Kiko Femenia and Sebastian Prodl as well as midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Veteran centre-back Prodl is unavailable as he continues his recovery from injury while Femenia is out with a hamstring issue. Doucoure remains sidelined with a ligament problem in his knee.

One to watch

Striker Troy Deeney was at the heart of Watford’s rise to the Premier League and has continued to be crucial to their success since their return to the top flight in 2015.

In the season that the Hornets achieved their promotion to English football's highest tier, Deeney was made club captain and went on to fire home 21 goals across that campaign as his side finished runners-up to Bournemouth in the Championship. The following year, the English striker again showed his ability in front of goal as he found the back of the net 13 times in his maiden Premier League campaign.

A further 10 goals followed in 2016/17 as he reached a century of goals for the Hornets but his form suffered the following campaign as he managed just five in 29 games. This season, however, the 30-year-old has already hit that same tally with 15 games still to play.

Last five meetings

26 September, 2018 – Spurs 2-2 Watford (4-2 on penalties) – Carabao Cup third round
2 September, 2018 – Watford 2-1 Spurs – Premier League
30 April, 2018 - Spurs 2-0 Watford - Premier League
2 December, 2017 - Watford 1-1 Spurs - Premier League
8 April, 2017 - Spurs 4-0 Watford - Premier League

Previous clash

We progressed to the fourth round of this season’s Carabao Cup with a dramatic 4-2 win on penalties against the Hornets back in September, following a 2-2 draw in normal time.

After a first half which produced little in terms of goalmouth action, Watford took the lead within a minute of the restart through Isaac Success as the Nigerian forward fired fiercely past Paulo Gazzaniga. It might have taken a bit of time, but we found our way back into the game on 81 minutes as Dele Alli picked himself up after being fouled in the box by Christian Kabasele to equalise from the spot on his return to Stadium MK - the venue we used to host the game.

Erik Lamela then put us in front for the first time in the tie with a neat finish five minutes later but, with just seconds to go until the final whistle, former Spur Etienne Capoue scored to send the tie to penalties.

It was to be Gazzaniga’s night, however, as, while we scored all four of our spot-kicks through Heung-Min Son, Lamela, Fernando Llorente and Dele, the Argentine keeper saved both Capoue’s and Domingos Quina’s efforts to send us through.

Watford’s form

Watford have been flying in the Premier League this season under Gracia as they sit seventh coming into Wednesday's game.

The heights the Hornets have hit so far this season have been largely due to their impressive record against the teams below them in the league, having lost just two of their games this campaign against the current bottom 13 teams.

Their record against the division's current top six teams is certainly less than desirable, however, as they've lost five out of their six games against the sides above them so far – their only points in that period coming against us in their 2-1 win at Vicarage Road back in September.

Magic moment

On Wednesday night, Watford keeper Ben Foster is set to visit us for the first time as a Hornet since his opposite number Paul Robinson scored against him with a memorable 70-yard strike in a 3-1 win for us back in March, 2007.

Jermaine Jenas had opened the scoring on 41 minutes against his England international team-mate, but it would be in the second half when another of his national team colleagues would produce the standout moment of the game.

Then-England number one Robinson taught his Three Lions understudy a thing or two about striking a ball as he punted clear from the edge of his box. His long-distance free-kick sailed over the heads of both Watford's midfield and the defence before bouncing in front of Foster in his own area. The Hornets' keeper could only watch in horror as the ball bounced off the turf and looped over his head into the back of the net.

A goal from Hossam Ghaly then wrapped up the points with five minutes left before Darius Henderson grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Played for both

Academy graduate Stephen Kelly broke through into our first team set-up at the turn of the millennium before spending the start of the 2003/04 season on loan at Vicarage Road.

Prior to making a first team breakthrough for us, Kelly would have loan spells at Southend United and QPR before he joined the Hornets in September, 2003, making 13 appearances in yellow and black. Upon his return to north London in late December, the full-back would go straight into our first team squad and made his debut a week later against Charlton Athletic at White Hart Lane.

Having made 45 appearances, scoring one goal, the Republic of Ireland international joined Championship side Birmingham City in 2006, where he helped the Blues return to the Premier League as they finished runners-up to Sunderland. Following a loan spell at Stoke City, Kelly would return to London to sign for Fulham and in his inaugural season at Craven Cottage, he played his part in helping the Cottagers to the Europa League Final in 2010.

What they're saying

Watford boss Gracia spoke to the media on Tuesday morning ahead of the contest at Wembley and, amid questions regarding a potential selection headache due to fine recent form shown by his whole squad, he expressed his delight at the abundance of options he has at his disposal.

“Believe me, it is not a problem. I am delighted with this," Gracia said.

"I am very pleased with all my players, especially Andre (Gray) and Isaac (Success), who scored in the last game (against Newcastle United). This is very, very good for the team to have different options. I trust all of them and they are waiting for their moment to show their level.

“My point of view is always positive and I try to give value to the players I have available. In this case we have players like Kiko (Femenia) and (Abdoulaye) Doucouré out of the team, but I don't like to speak about them. I like to speak about (Daryl) Janmaat, (Marc) Navarro, (Tom) Cleverley, (Ben) Wilmot and Domingos Quina, options I have. All of them are good options.”