Watford vs Everton 25/02/18

25 February 2018

Following three consecutive losses away from Goodison Park, in which they have conceded eleven goals, Everton will travel to Watford, hoping to end the disastrous streak. The Toffies have had huge ambitions for this season, but their hopes of reaching European football are now a distant dream, while the Hornets desperately try to escape the relegation zone, as they have just four points lead over Southampton that currently occupies the eighteenth place. After encouraging performances against Chelsea, Watford easily lost to West Ham 2-0 on the road, and they need to get a positive result at home. Everton have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine out of their last eleven away games in the Premier League, which is Sam Allardyce’s main concern.

Javier Gracia still has significant troubles with injured players, as Nathaniel Chalobah, Miguel Britos, Will Hughes, Kiko Femenia, Christian Kabasele, Younes Kaboul, Craig Cathcart, and the experienced shot-stopper Heurelho Gomes are all set to miss the match. Tom Cleverley is progressing well according to the latest reports, and he could return to action after skipping the clash with the Hammers.

Everton’s second-choice goalkeeper, Martin Stekelenburg, is still out due to injury, the same goes for the captain, Leighton Baines, and the powerful midfielder, James McCarthy. Big Sam has to assess the condition of Eliaquim Mangala who suffered an injury against Crystal Palace last weekend.