Prediction: Everton vs Watford

Verdict: Everton win and under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 10/3

Bookmaker: Bet365

Two sides who flattered to deceive in their Premier League openers last weekend, Everton will welcome Watford to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

Everton

Starting with the hosts, while Everton may have broken the £100million barrier on bringing in a string of new faces to Goodison Park during the transfer window, Marco Silva’s side have struggled to make much of an impact over the summer. Playing out a lackluster 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace last weekend and largely outplayed in the final third of the match, the former Watford boss will have some growing concerns over his sides’ performances in front of goal. Now on a run of three consecutive 0-0 draws against the likes of Championship outfit Wigan Athletic and Werder Bremen, the Blues have now remarkably managed to record just a single strike over 500 minutes of action. With their sights firmly set on securing a European return for Goodison Park this year, fans on Merseyside will be looking for Everton to carry on where they left off with their home form last season. Winning each of their final four top-flight matches in front of their own supporters, including a famous 4-0 win over Manchester United back in April, Silva’s side also secured victories over Arsenal and Chelsea on that winning run.

Team News

Everton will be without midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin after his opening day sending off against Palace. New signing Fabian Delph is a doubt after he missed the Toffees’ opening fixture with a thigh injury, while Andre Gomes is being assessed, after undergoing a scan on the ankle injury that forced him off at half-time last Saturday.

Watford

As for the visitors, although a run of three consecutive wins may have seen Watford end their pre-season preparations on a high, Javi Garcia’s side came crashing back down to reality last weekend. Opening the 2019/2020 Premier League campaign with a shock 3-0 hammering at home to Brighton, the Hornets have lost three straight home league games for the first time since December 2013 and some around Vicarage Road are starting to panic. Despite reaching the FA Cup Final last season before suffering a 6-0 battering against Manchester City at Wembley back in May, Watford did endure a torrid end to the year and had to eventually settle for an 11th place finish after briefly flirting with Europe entering 2019. Enduring a three-match losing run at the end of last season, a huge part of their issues was their form on the road. Aside from a hard-fought 2-1 win away at an already relegated Huddersfield, Garcia’s men lost four of their last five Premier League matches away from Vicarage Road.

Team News

Danny Welbeck’s Watford debut may be delayed as he is still recovering from a long-term ankle injury, while new record signing Ismaila Sarr could make his first appearance for the Hornets.

Key Factors to Consider

• Everton have failed to register a goal in their last three matches across all competitions.
• Watford have never won a Premier League match at Goodison Park.
• Everton won each of their last four Premier League matches at Goodison Park, including wins over Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
• Watford have lost their last four Premier League matches.
• The Hornets also lost four of their final five away Premier League matchups last season.

Conclusion

On paper, this has all the makings of a battle that should produce few chances at either end. With both Everton and Watford failing to find the net on the opening weekend, Marco Silva will know that his men must continue to show their dominant displays on Merseyside that saw them pick up wins over Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal last season. While we do expect Everton to come away with their first victory of the season, we are expecting a cagey encounter at Goodison Park this weekend.

Verdict: Everton win and under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 10/3

Bookmaker: Bet365