2019-20 Premier League: Week 25 – Watford vs Everton

Watford face a tough test of their survival credentials as they welcome Everton to Vicarage Road. 

A point could be enough for Watford to move out of the relegation zone whilst Everton look to climb to ninth with victory. 

 

Team news

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Danny Welbeck is in contention to return for Watford after missing the past three months with a thigh injury.

Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah could also return after overcoming recent hip injuries. 

Ismaila Sarr (thigh) and Tom Cleverley (heel) won’t be risked this weekend but could return next weekend at Brighton. 

Kiko Femenia (hamstring), Sebastian Prodl (calf) and Daryl Janmaat (knee) won’t be available until after the winter break at earliest. 

Everton will have Alex Iwobi available after he missed the past month with a hamstring injury. 

Gylfi Sigurdsson (groin) and Richarlison (knee) are also in contention but Jean-Phillip Gbamin (tendon) and Andre Gomes (ankle) are still sidelined until after the winter break. 

 

Form

Watford saw their six league match unbeaten run ended at Aston Villa last time out (W4, D2, L1), whilst conceding just once in their last four home league games. 

Everton have lost just one of their last nine league matches coming into this weekend (W4, D4, L1), yet haven’t kept a clean sheet in 11 away trips since their goalless draw at Crystal Palace back on the opening weekend of this season. 

 

Stat Attack

• Watford are unbeaten in three of their last five league meetings against Everton (W2, D1, L2).
• Everton have lost both of their last two trips to Vicarage Road by 1-0 results. 
• Just two of the last six goals in this league fixture has come before half-time and both were scored by Everton, albeit at Goodison Park. 
• Three out of five penalties in this Premier League fixture have been scored, with those three penalty goals all coming from Everton out of four attempts to Watford’s one missed attempt. 
• Both teams have had one player sent off each in 13 previous Premier League clashes. 

 

Prediction

Both teams are currently in good form since changing managers so I can see a good battle here between two teams who have underperformed so far this season, especially if Welbeck returns for Watford up front. 

Everton’s defensive away record however is a concern which makes me think that we are in for a scrappy game with a draw looking the best bet, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Watford hits back with a win. 

Prediction: Watford 1-1 Everton

Result: Watford 2-3 Everton