Everton host newly-promoted Watford at Goodison Park on Saturday in a match that will be important for both sides as they try to get a good start to the season. Watford have lost both matches against Everton during their last presence in the Premier League, in the 2006-2007 campaign: the Toffees won 2-1 at Goodison Park (a game that was also played on the opening day of the season) and 3-0 at Vicarage Road. Everton are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions against Watford.
Everton had a disappointing campaign last season, they were expected to be around the European places but they ended up 11th in the Premier League table, with relegation being a threat for most of the season. This summer the club has been quite active on the transfer market, bringing in Tom Cleverley and last-season loanee Gerard Deulofeu. They still might lose defender John Stones though, who is a target for big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. Deulofeu is in doubt for the season opener while Muhamed Besic is unavailable due to injury.
Watford have changed the manager that earned them promotion to the Premier League, Slavisa Jokanovic was allowed to leave at the end of his contract and was replaced by Quique Flores. Watford have brought in eight new players this summer, including experienced individuals like Etienne Capoue, Valon Behrami, Jose Manuel Jurado and Jose Holebas.
Probable line-ups:
Everton: Howard - Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman - Barry, Cleverley, McCarthy, Barkley, Mirallas - Lukaku
Watford: Gomes - Holebas, Ekstrand, Angella, Britos - Capoue, Behrami, Abdi, Forestieri - Deeney, Vydra
My prediction: Everton to win 3-2.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Everton win - 1.72 Draw - 3.90 Watford win - 5.25
seculla 8 years ago
It was very interesting game. It's always hard to start the season against team that is "new" in Premier League. On the other side, I agree with all of you, and I think that Everton should, and will improve. I expect good season from them and maybe they can even qualify for Europa League for the next season.
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iDark 8 years ago
Have to say, I was hoping more from everton after 1st official round and made some stakes at few sites for a win, but unfortunately, they did not prove home-stadium advantage and mae it 2:2. Furthemore, the players of Everton has a lot of potential and last season was not so succesfull as expected, but I hope this year...
Have to say, I was hoping more from everton after 1st official round and made some stakes at few sites for a win, but unfortunately, they did not prove home-stadium advantage and mae it 2:2. Furthemore, the players of Everton has a lot of potential and last season was not so succesfull as expected, but I hope this year they could compete with grands like Man UTD, arsenal or even Chelsea. Good look!
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kduzim 8 years ago
Everton needs to improve
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
I agree with juventino,this really was interesting match.Everton managed to get back and win a point yesterday.It was expected from them maybe to win all 3 points,but after all they must be satisfied with this.Watford showed that they definitely deserved a spot in Premier League.
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juventino 8 years ago
Everton and Watford played very interesting match at Goodison Park yesterday. Watford started great and scored early goal. In first half they success to defend. In second, Everton try harder and manage to score two goals, but that wasn't enough to win three points. They need to be better in next games.
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sharpe 8 years ago
I'm very exited at the start of the season.Watford not been in the highest league in the country for 10 seasons now so it's a big test for them and very tough game to begin with. Everton were not so great last season and this is chance for them to start with a solid win. Although Everton is unpredictable team I believe...
I'm very exited at the start of the season.Watford not been in the highest league in the country for 10 seasons now so it's a big test for them and very tough game to begin with. Everton were not so great last season and this is chance for them to start with a solid win. Although Everton is unpredictable team I believe that they will win this one but not expect game to be so easy for them.
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