Watford to urge the EFL to block Tottenham’s plans to play Carabao Cup tie at a neutral venue

Watford want the cup-tie on Tuesday September 25 to be played at Vicarage Road

Watford want the EFL to block Tottenham's plans to switch next month's Carabao Cup tie to a neutral stadium.

Tottenham travel to Watford in the Premier League on Sunday in a fixture that was reversed because Spurs' £850million new stadium is not ready.

Watford want the cup-tie on Tuesday September 25 to be played at Vicarage Road as well, arguing that Tottenham's arrangement to borrow MK Dons' stadium in Milton Keynes, some 50 miles north of London, compromises the integrity of the competition.

"If they cannot play at Wembley, they should play at Watford," said Javi Gracia, the Watford manager. "I would say no to a different stadium.

"It has happened in the Premier League as they cannot play at their stadium so in the Carabao Cup it can be the same thing."

The EFL board is set to make a decision on the dispute on Thursday.

Tottenham have been using Wembley as their temporary home but that is unavailable because it clashes with an Anthony Joshua fight.

Tottenham argue being drawn at home entitles them to have the majority of the supporters at the game, whatever the venue.

A statement said: "The club felt it would not be beneficial to request a reverse of the fixture as it would have resulted in no more than a 10 per cent allocation of tickets for our supporters at the venue of our opponents.

"In contrast, we shall have a ticket allocation of up to 90 per cent at a neutral venue, ensuring greater access for our fans.”