Verdict: Watford win
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two teams who will be looking to shore up their position in the top half of the table, Watford will welcome a struggling Everton side to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Watford
Starting with this weekend’s hosts, while Watford might still find themselves sat eighth in the table, Javi Garcia will be growing more concerned by his sides form entering the second half of the season. Now recording just one Premier League victory in their last seven attempts, a run that stems back to the end of December, the Hornets have also won just three of their last 15 top-flight appearances. Playing out a lackluster 0-0 draw in their last appearance in North London, it will be Watford’s recent performances on home soil giving Garcia the biggest headache. Saturday’s hosts have failed to win any of their last three home matches and have just one victory in E10 since the 27th of October. Desperate to pick up a win and shore up their advantage in the top half of the table, fans around Vicarage Road will be boosted by their recent success against the Toffees. Watford have won their last two home games against Everton – they’ve never won three consecutive Premier League home matches against a particular opponent.
Team News
Watford are hopeful Abdoulaye Doucoure will be available after missing the last four games with a knee problem.
Kiko Femenia should also be fit following a hamstring injury, but Roberto Pereyra, Isaac Success and Sebastian Prodl remain sidelined.
Everton
As for the visitors, coming off the back of a 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City in midweek, the pressure is really starting to mount on former Watford boss Marco Silva. With their European ambitions starting to fade by the week, the Toffees could end the weekend as low down as 12th. On a run of form that has seen the Blues lose four of their last five matches across all competitions, including crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Millwall, they have picked up just 11 top-flight points since the start of December. It has been Everton’s form away from Merseyside that has been arguably their biggest struggle this season. Silva’s men have now lost four of their last six Premier League matches on the road. With many around Goodison Park questioning whether the Portuguese boss is the man to lead them forward, another defeat for Everton on Saturday would be the first time they have lost three consecutive top-flight matches in over 13 months.
Team News
Everton are again without injured pair Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka.
Yerry Mina is doubtful with a foot problem that is being monitored, while Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson will hope to earn recalls.
Key Factors to Consider
- Watford have won just three of their last 15 Premier League matches.
- They have, however, won their last two home games against Everton – they’ve never won three consecutive Premier League home matches against a particular opponent.
- 10 of the last 13 matches between the two have seen over 2.5 goals.
- The Toffees have claimed just 11 points since the start of December – only Huddersfield and Fulham have worse records.
- They could lose three consecutive top-flight matches for the first time in 13 months.
Conclusion
Although Watford have undoubtably struggled since the turn of the New Year, Javi Garcia should be confident of picking up three points on Saturday. Given Everton’s woeful run of form, coupled with the Hornets picking up victories in the last two matches at Vicarage Road, we’re backing the hosts to come away with the victory this weekend.
Verdict: Watford win
Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker: Bet365
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