Goal-shy Everton welcome Watford to Goodison this weekend for the Blues’ first home clash of the season, Marco Silva will be hoping for more of an attacking threat this time around.
After firing yet another blank at Selhurst Park last weekend, Everton have now failed to score in five of their eight matches in all competitions this season.
Although seven of the eight were during preseason and were just intended to build up fitness, it doesn’t make great reading for Evertonians.
But things could be set to change this weekend, it is the Toffees’ first game in L4 since May due to no friendly taking place at the Grand Old Lady this year, the siren before Z-Cars is set to make a return this season and the fans will be right up for it.
This will be the third occasion Silva has faced his former club since his unsavoury departure in January 2018. The 42-year-old is still waiting to taste what will be a sweet victory over the Hornets having shared the points at Goodison before losing at Vicarage Road last term.
Watford got off to the worst possible start to their season, with high expectations to better last years 11th place finish, Brighton (who only survived by the skin of their teeth last time out) came to visit, the Seagulls were not really given a chance going into the clash but ran out 3-0 victors in Watfords own backyard.
Everton target Abdoulaye Doucouré opened the scoring in the wrong net before goals from Florin Andone and Neal Maupay finished off a tired-looking Watford outfit.
Watford will be aiming for their first ever win at Goodison Park this Saturday, having failed in their previous 14 attempts (two draws, 12 losses).
They came ever so close last season, leading deep into injury time before Lucas Digne curled home a free kick to equalise late on.
Javi Gracia’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in 16 competitive outings, a run stretching all the way back to a 1-0 win over QPR in February
This weekend’s visitors have also suffered five consecutive losses, shipping 18 goals in that space of time.
One to watch
Former Everton man Gerard Deulofeu could pose the most threat to the Blues’ defence this weekend.
Despite the Toffees’ resurgence at the back, the Spaniard’s blistering pace could cause serious problems if he is not properly dealt with, the only problem with Deulofeu, as Evertonians know far too well, is the 25-year-old’s inability to complete 90 minutes.
The winger slotted an impressive 12 goals in 33 games last season.
Team news
Everton may be forced to play a midfield containing Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Tom Davies.
Morgan Schneiderlin is suspended, it is unknown how serious Andre Gomes’ injury is and Fabian Delph only started training this week.
Alex Iwobi and Djibril Sidibé featured at USM Finch Farm this week, so could make their Everton debuts on the weekend.
Man in the middle
Lee Mason will be in charge of the whistle for the clash, in 32 games last season he shown 99 yellow cards and three reds.