Thursday, March 28, 2024

Prediction: Watford vs Everton

Verdict: Draw

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to find a route back out of the bottom-three, Watford will welcome Everton to Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

Watford

Starting with the hosts, while Watford might have continued to make a string of improvements since bringing in former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, the Hornets are enduring a minor stumble. Making a string of alterations at League One strugglers Tranmere last weekend, they were hit with a shock 2-1 defeat on Merseyside and could also still be haunted by their trip to Villa Park last week. Throwing away a one-goal lead and watching their fellow relegation battlers snatch what could be a crucial three points, Watford have won just one of their last five matches across all competitions. However, with only their goal difference keeping them in the bottom-three, there is no doubt that Pearson will be excited by the on-going success of leading marksman, Troy Deeney. Finding the net against Villa last time out, the Hornets skipper has five goals in his last seven Premier League appearances.

Team News

The Hornets will be unable to call upon Danny Welbeck, Will Hughes, Tom Cleverley and Nathaniel Chalobah for Saturday’s matchup.

Elsewhere, Sebastian Prodl, Kiko Femenia and Daryl Janmaat are also out, with Prodl and Janmaat unlikely to return this season.

Everton

As for the visitors, much like Saturday’s hosts, Everton are another side desperate to put last week’s collapse behind them. Despite leading by a pair of goals in the 94th minute, the Blues could only for a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park and new boss Carlo Ancelotti has failed to set the world on fire since moving to Merseyside. Having to come from behind to snatch what was a flattering point away at relegation scrappers West Ham, the former Napoli boss has seen his side also win just one of their last five matches across all formats. Still sat outside the top half of the Premier League standings, there is no doubt that fans around Goodison will be desperate for their side to find some much-needed improvements on the road. With just a sole top-flight victory on the road since the 9th of September, it should also be noted that the Blues have recorded just a pair of away wins in their last 15 attempts.

Team News

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison are both expected to fit to face Watford, while Alex Iwobi is closing in on a return.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes are still out, although the latter has now returned to training following his horror ankle injury.

Key Factors to Consider

  • When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Everton picked up a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
  • However, Watford have won both of the previous meetings between the two sides at Vicarage Road.
  • The Blues have won just a pair of their last 15 Premier League matches on the road.
  • Watford striker Troy Deeney has five goals in his last seven top-flight appearances.
  • Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in back-to-back Premier League matchups.

Conclusion

On paper, both sides should see this weekend as a golden opportunity to bounce back from their collapses last week. However, with Watford playing out back-to-back draws and Vicarage Road, along with Everton playing out their own back-to-back stalemates against Newcastle and West Ham, we’re backing both teams to settle for a point in the capital this weekend.

Verdict: Draw

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: Bet365

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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