A struggling Watford FC take on Everton at Vicarage Road this weekend with Premier League survival in sight.
The Hornets will be looking to turn their form around this weekend when the host Everton at Vicarage Road. Coming off the back of four straight losses and a draw, including last week’s 4-0 hiding against Arsenal, the Hornets are in desperate need of a win after going five straight without one.
After such a positive first half to the season, the second has being anything but. The Hertfordshire club haven’t won a Premier League game since early February, and are now languishing in 14th spot on the EPL ladder on 37 points. 40 points is traditionally the marker that teams aim for to be assured safety in the top flight of English football, a total that Watford have been chasing for weeks. Of course, while they are not safe ‘mathematically’, the Hornets are ten points clear of 18th placed Sunderland, it would take a dramatic end to the season to see them bound for relegation.
Quiqe Sanchez Flores admits that the team’s focus has been directed more so at the FA Cup run, with premier league games suffering. The same issue has befallen Everton, who have lost their last three league matches, but progressed to the semi-finals’ for the FA Cup after defeating Chelsea 2-0, where they meet the winner of the West Ham – Manchester United replay.
Everton played host to Watford in their season opener way back in August 2015, where it ended up 2-2. Layun put the away side in front after 13 minutes until Ross Barkley equalised in the 76th. Odion Ighalo began his goalscoring run here in the 83rd, before Arouna Kone levelled for the home side again.
CrownBet match odds at time of publishing
Everton have lost three in a row, the last time they went 0-4 was back in December 2015 – January 2015.
While Watford haven’t lost five in a row since 2008 (when they were playing Championship football). This season, the Hornets have lost two in a row at home, they have never lost three in a row at home in the competition.
PRESS-CONFERENCE: Hear more from QSF on @Everton & Roberto Martinez on Hornets PlayerHD now! #watfordfchttps://t.co/VSAuXzeEze
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) April 7, 2016
Key Battle – Romelu Lukaku vs shaky Watford defence
After letting 4-0 through last weekend against Arsenal, the Watford backline will again be tested – this time by third top goalscorer in the league, Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku has 18 goals this season, with only Jamie Vardy (19) and Harry Kane (22) having more goals.
Team News
Joel Ekstrand is still out (season), while Jurado may get some game time after moving to the bench last week from injury.
Tony Hibbert (knee), Tyias Browning (knee), and Muhamed Besic (hamstring) are all on the injured list. Gareth Barry returns from suspension to strengthen the squad.
Head-to Head
Everton have won 9 of the last 10 games these two teams have played in all competitions. The last time Everton lost to the Hornets was way back in March 1987.
Previous Meeting
Everton opened the season at home against Watford. The match finished 2-2 after a thrilling back and forth game which saw Watford take the lead twice, only for the Toffees to respond both times.
Prediction
Tough one to predict, although it looks like a draw is the likely scenario.
Watford 1 Everton 1
*CrownBet match odds at time of publishing are subject to change
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