Everton vs Watford: Preview and Prediction

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Match Preview:

David Moyes has made West Ham a very good side over the past year but there would have been a wave of disappointment from Everton fans when they came to Everton last weekend and beat Rafa Benitez’s side 1-0. It was the exact same result from last season and Goodison Park being a graveyard for West Ham seems like a distant memory now.

Everton have been dealt some key injuries as listed below but they have had a positive start to the new campaign overall. The club come into this home game in 8th place, and with 14 points they are only 5 points adrift of the league leaders Chelsea. 

What will be worrying for fans though is that whilst the team have looked tactically aware and solid the return lately is just 1 win from their last four. 

Watford have been through the mill lately. First Xisco Munoz was sacked, in came Claudio Ranieri and in his first game his overseen a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool. It’s fair to say that the mood at the Hornets is hardly buzzing.

The visitors come into this game in 16th place and in fact Everton have double the points of Ranieri’s side. It’s early days yet but Watford are 4 points from the bottom three although a win here could see them climb up 2-3 places. On the road it’s 3 points earned from a possible 12 and that one win came against the poorest side in the league currently, Norwich.

Team News:

Everton: Andre Gomes looks set to miss this game with an on going calf injury. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has a thigh injury. Richarlison has recovered well from his recent knee injury and is 50/50 to make the cut at the weekend. Abdoulaye Doucoure has a foot injury that looks serious and he is certainly out. Fabian Delph is not expected back until the beginning of next month with his shoulder injury.

Watford: Christian Kabasele has a hamstring injury and is out long term. Peter Etebo is also out long term with a thigh injury. Femenia is a doubt with a hip injury and will face a late test. Francisco Sierralta has a hamstring injury and isn’t expected back until the end of the month, meaning he will likely miss out on this clash.

Everton vs Watford Head to Head: 

The last time the teams met at Everton was in 2019 in the EFL Cup which Everton won 2-0.

Everton have never lost at home to Watford.

Everton have won the last 3 meetings.

There is a 60% chance to see under 2.5 goals.

Everton vs Watford Prediction:

Make no mistake Everton will be expected to win this one. Watford may improve under Ranieri, but surely that improvement will start to take shape at home and not on their travels. Of course Everton have injuries piling up which could force a negative dynamic on the team so it will be interesting to see how Benitez changes up the formation. A month ago at home we were seeing a 4-3-3 being adapted but in the defeat against West Ham that had changed to a 4-4-1-1. Of course injuries could also be dictating how the team are going to be set up.

For Watford this is a tricky game and in Ranieri’s 2nd match he will face another team from Merseyside. They will defend and try to counter but may take some confidence in the fact that they won’t be facing the strongest Everton side.

Richarlison who of course used to play for Watford could return for this game and we have seen plenty of times down the years how former players score against their old teams. The Brazilian will be raring to go if he gets the green light and should be taken on.

Everton vs Watford Betting Tips:

Everton to beat Watford at 1.70

Anytime goalscorer: Richarlison at 2.50