Everton aim to keep their recent momentum going in their relegation fight as they face an already relegated Watford side.
Watford were hoping for a miracle at Selhurst Park last weekend when Roy Hodgson’s out-of-sorts team met Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha’s solitary penalty was enough to secure three points for Patrick Vieira’s side and send the Hornets back to the Championship.
With three games left to play in their season, the Watford players will be keen on giving their fans something to cheer for. The first two matches are at Vicarage Road, and Watford will be aiming to go to the second tier with their heads held high.
But they have a difficult task to finish the season strongly as they first face Everton, who are fighting their own relegation battle, followed by a visit from Leicester City and then end their season with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Everton have been in inspired form in the last few matches after a wretched season that put their Premier League status under threat. The Toffees were the favourites to get relegated from the Premier League, but they have turned their form around after terrific results of late, including a shock victory over Chelsea.
Richarlison scored the only goal, and Jordan Pickford produced one of his best performances against the Blues to see the game through. Frank Lampard’s men followed that up with an impressive win over Leicester City last time out.
The win over the Foxes, coupled with Leeds United losing to Arsenal, meant Everton are out of the bottom three and into the 16th spot. They would certainly like to remain there and see out the season with a few more wins that keep them alive in the Premier League.
Team News & Tactics
Watford
Several Watford players will be subject to fitness checks ahead of tomorrow’s home match against Everton.#WatfordFC | #WATEVE
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 10, 2022
Roy Hodgson has a huge injury list to contend with and last weekend’s game against Palace did not do them any favours. Hassane Kamara was added to the list of absentees after the defender collected two yellows in that game, which rules him out of the Everton clash.
Imran Louza is out for the season after surgery, while Juraj Kucka, Cucho Hernandez and Nicolas Nkoulou are also missing from action. There are big question marks over Tom Cleverley, Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis’ involvements, while Kiko Fermenia and Joshua King are yet to be fully fit either.
Joao Pedro could be made available after resuming training since he missed the Palace game. Hodgson is also hopeful about defender Samir being involved despite being taken off injured against Palace. The final lineup will have many senior and young players as the manager will be left with no choice with the long list of absentees.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Foster; Ngakia, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Masina; Sissoko, Kayembe, Etebo; Kalu, Pedro, Sema
Everton
Frank Lampard will tinker with the team ahead of the Watford game, as a few injuries will force the manager to make changes. Yerry Mina, who has been outstanding in the last two victories, will be out for the next couple of games after suffering a calf problem.
Vitalii Mykolenko is fit for #WATEVE but Yerry Mina will miss out.
? Watch live: https://t.co/rxnVx4dxIJ pic.twitter.com/ceOMfWcTAG
— Everton (@Everton) May 10, 2022
Ben Godfrey and Donny van de Beek also remain out for the Watford clash, although there is good news with Vitalii Mykolenko, who scored against Leicester before being withdrawn with a knock, as the full-back is set to be available.
Lampard has deployed a back three in recent games and could stick with the formation despite the absence of Mina. The system allows Abdoulaye Doucoure and Fabian Delph to hold the fort in midfield and protect the backline.
Mykolenko and Alex Iwobi could assume wing-back roles, with a back three consisting of Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate to do the job in defence. Demarai Gray, Richarlison and Anthony Gordon will slot in at the top for Everton.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Holgate; Iwobi, Doucoure, Delph, Mykolenko; Gordon, Richarlison, Gray
Key Stats
- Watford have lost their last 11 home matches in the Premier League.
- Watford have lost six consecutive games in the Premier League.
- Watford have conceded at least two goals in their last seven home games in the Premier League.
- Everton have scored at least two goals in their last three matches against Watford in all competitions.
- Everton have picked up ten points from their last five matches in the Premier League.
Player To Watch
Richarlison
Feliz aniversário, @richarlison97! ? pic.twitter.com/d8WcTJnuas
— Everton (@Everton) May 10, 2022
The Brazilian comes into this game in good form for the Toffees. He has set the tone for Everton to escape from the relegation zone with a goal against Chelsea and a brilliant performance against Leicester City last weekend.
Richarlison is needed to lead the attack in the final three games of this season as Frank Lampard & co. look to secure their Premier League status for the next season. Coming up against his former side, the forward will be aiming to add to his tally and pull Everton towards safety.
Prediction
Watford 0-3 Everton
Frank Lampard will be keen for his team to secure three points from a game Everton have to win. Considering the injury issues with Watford and their demotion from the Premier League, on paper, this game has the Toffees’ name written all over it.
Watford’s form in the Premier League is a source of concern for Roy Hodgson, and Lampard will surely want to take full advantage. Expect Everton to run the rule at Vicarage Road and return to Merseyside with all three points.
