Watford:
Javi Gracia's side go into the game in a good patch of home form, having only lost once in their past five games at Vicarage Road. They have also received some positive news when it comes to fitness, with Heurelho Gomes, Miguel Britos, Will Hughes and Kiko Femenia all back in full training and in contention for Saturday. Stefano Okaka is also available for selection, as is Troy Deeney, who struggled with an ankle problem in the 'Hornets' most recent game against West Ham.
Gracia will be without a handful of key players, however. Younes Kaboul, ex-Everton man Tom Cleverly, Christian Kabasele and Nathaniel Chalobah all remained sidelined for the moment.
Everton:
The visitors' away form will be a concern for Everton boss Sam Allardyce, especially given Watford's recent home results; the 'Toffees' have lost all four of their last away fixtures. There isn't much positive news on the injury front either, the most notable absence being Eliaquim Mangala, who is out for the long term after suffering a knee problem in Everton's game against Crystal Palace earlier this month. Seamus Coleman is still unavailable after suffering a setback on his return from long-term injury, although the current problem is muscle-related and not linked to the broken leg he suffered in April 2017.
Ramiro Funes Mori will train with the Under-23s before he makes his first team return after almost a year out, while Idrissa Gueye is a doubt for the game.
Watford boss Javi Gracia:
The Spaniard called on his players to repeat the performance that saw them tear through last year's champions Chelsea 4-1 in the 'Hornets' last home game. "We try to go on the same way [as we did against Chelsea]", he said. "We got the result with the support of our fans. The next two games we need them as after we have some difficult matches away. It is important the supporters help the team in the next game. I think with the backing of our support we will be able to achieve our objectives."
Everton boss Sam Allardyce:
Allardyce spoke about new signing Eliaquim Mangala's injury, admitting that he was unsure if the defender would play again this season. "It's a very difficult thing to assess just how long it's going to take, whether it's going to be longer than first predicted or not," he stated.
"At this early stage, while people put a lot of times on how quick you're going to recover, it can never actually really be the case. It cannot be a certainty that it can be eight, 10, 12 weeks at this early stage. You have to judge it week by week."
He also came out in defence of his style of play, dismissing allegations that his side plays boring football. “The type of football we’ve produced isn’t rubbish, we’ve produced proper football in terms of what we’ve tried to achieve" he insisted. “The past reputation is not the reality if you ask the players, so you look at the football we’ve played since I’ve been here.”
Did you know?
Watford have only won twice in the past 24 meetings between the two teams (L19, D3). However, Everton have lost all but one of their past 21 away games in the league, losing 11 and drawing 9. Both sides have been inconsistent as of late, and with neither team emerging as favourites, it looks to be an interesting fixture.
Form:
Possible lineups:
Watford: Gomes; Zeegelaar, Mariappa, Prodl, Holebas, Janmaat; Capoue, Doucoure, Richarlison, Deulofeu; Deeney
Everton: Pickford; Baines, Keane, Williams, Kenny; Rooney, Gueye, Sigurdsson, Davies, Walcott; Niasse