Watford v Everton: Hornets can get the job done at Vicarage Road

Watford v Everton
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Gracia looking to kick on

Part of the difficulty of taking over a new team during the season is that you rarely have time to instill your ideas on the training ground. So new Watford boss Javi Gracia must have been pleased for a fortnight without fixtures after a busy start to his tenure at Vicarage Road. The hope will be that the benefits of that quality squad time will be felt in the weeks ahead.

Form has been mixed since the Spaniard's arrival. The 4-1 success against Chelsea was superb, but the Hornets have failed to score in Gracia's three other games in charge, which will be a concern. They didn't impress against West Ham last time out, and with things very bunched up at the bottom of the table, the threat of relegation is still just about present.

The good news is that Gracia can welcome a battalion of players back from injury on Saturday. Heurelho Gomes, Miguel Britos, Will Hughes and Kiko Femenía should all be in contention here, which is a significant boost, while Troy Deeney has had two weeks to run off an ankle issue.

Another defensive reshuffle for Everton

After a miserable run, Everton began to arrest their slide just before FA Cup week, putting in a good performance against Crystal Palace - their second home win on the spin. Question marks remain over Sam Allardyce's approach, and fans won't have forgotten those heavy defeats to Tottenham and Arsenal just yet, but there are at least signs that the attack is coming to life.

Allardyce could welcome Leighton Baines back to the side this weekend after a long absence, which would lend some much-needed balance to the side. But there are other defensive personnel issues to work around: Seamus Coleman is still building up fitness and is likely to miss out here, while Eliaquim Mangala faces a spell on the sidelines after limping off against Palace.

Hosts can build on Chelsea win

Watford have won just one of the nine previous Premier League meetings between the sides, but will be heartened by Everton's poor away record: the Toffees have claimed just a single victory in their last 21 league games away from Goodison Park, scoring just 15 goals in that run.

Watford have been inconsistent at Vicarage Road: they're still looking for their first back-to-back home wins of the season. But fixtures have been tough - they've already hosted Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Man United, Spurs and Chelsea - and Gracia has promised an attacking approach here. Odds of 2.28 on the home win are just juicy enough.

Goals in store

Watford have been broadly circumspect under Gracia. But three of his four games have come away from home, and the win over Chelsea of a piece with their recent home form: their last six home games (all competitions) have produced three goals or more.

Six of Everton's last eight games have gone the same way, and the defence has looked enormously vulnerable in recent away games especially. With all that in mind, the overs may be worth taking on at 2.12.

Ex marks the spot

Gerard Deulofeu lit up the last game at Vicarage Road and will surely relish the opportunity to make a point against his former club. The Spaniard is 4.20 to net his second Watford goal.

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Back Watford at 2.28