Watford vs EvertonSaturday 24 February
Vicarage Road
FA Premier League
5.30pm kick-off
TEAM NEWSSam Allardyce has confirmed that Leighton Baines could be in contention to make his return to the Everton first team this weekend. The left-back hasn't played since he picked up a calf injury in the defeat to Southampton in November.
However, fellow full-back, Seamus Coleman, is a doubt for the trip to Watford as well as Ramiro Funes Mori who will play one more game for the Under-23s on Monday night before he returns to first-team action for the first time since suffering a knee injury in March.
Watford could be boosted by the return of Heurelho Gomes, Miguel Britos, Will Hughes and Kiko Femenía who have all been in training this week following lay-offs, and all four are being considered for contention by boss Javi Gracia.
WATFORDLeague position: 11th
Past five resultsWest Ham United (a) Lost 2-0
Chelsea (h) Won 4-1
Stoke City (a) Drew 0-0
Southampton (a) Lost 1-0
Leicester City (a) Lost 2-0
EVERTONLeague position: 9th
Past five resultsCrystal Palace (h) Won 3-1
Arsenal (a) Lost 5-1
Leicester City (h) Won 2-1
West Bromwich Albion (h) Drew 1-1
Tottenham Hotspur (a) Lost 4-0
WATFORD IN NUMBERSTop goalscorers 1. Abodoulaye Doucoure: 7 (=18th in Premier League)
2. Richarlison: 5
3. Andre Gray: 4
Most assists1. Richarlison: 4 (=35th in PL)
2. Jose Holebas: 3
3. Andre Carrillo/Tom Cleverley/Troy Deeney/Abdoulaye Doucouré/Andre Gray: 2
Most shots1. Richarlison: 79 (4th in PL)
2. Abdoulaye Doucouré: 38
3. Andre Gray: 31
Top tacklers1. Abodoulaye Doucoure: 60 (12th in PL)
2. Richarlison/Tom Cleverley: 48
4. Daryl Janmaat/Christian Kabasele: 36
Most goalkeeper punches (Premier League)
1. Heurelho Gomes (Watford) 24
2. Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester) 20
3. Jordan Pickford (Everton) 19
EVERTON IN NUMBERSTop goalscorers1. Wayne Rooney: 10 (=9th in PL)
2. Oumar Niasse: 7
3. Dominic Calvert-Lewin/Gylfi Sigurdsson: 3
Most assists1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 4 (=35th in PL)
2. Gylfi Sigurdsson: 3
3. Cuco Martina/Oumar Niasse/Wayne Rooney: 2
Most shots1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 39 (=41st in PL)
2. Gylfi Sigurdsson: 36
3. Wayne Rooney: 33
Top tacklers1. Idrissa Gana Gueye: 85 (2nd in PL)
2. Cuco Martina: 56
3. Morgan Schneiderlin: 41
ONE TO WATCH: RICHARLISON
After joining the Hornets from Fluminese for a reported £11.2 million last summer, Richarlison has been an instant hit at Watford – lighting up Vicarage Road with his pace, trickery and class in possession.
His importance to the Watford cause is highlighted by the fact he’s featured in every Premier League game for the Hornets this season – and has started the past 26 on the bounce. His combined goals and assists tally (nine) is also the highest in their squad.
The Brazilian is on something of a goal drought, however – he last found the back of the net in Watford’s 3-2 defeat at Goodison Park on 5th November. Keeping the talented 20-year-old quiet in the return fixture on Saturday could hold the key to the Blues emerging with three points.
LAST TIME OUT: Everton 3-2 Watford, 5th November 2017
Who could forget?
Leighton Baines’ penalty in added-time capped a sensational Everton comeback, with the Blues responding from 2-0 down to win a Goodison classic.
The drama didn’t even finish with Baines’ spot-kick, with Tom Cleverley missing a last-gasp penalty which would have rescued a point for the Hornets.
After going in 0-0 at half-time, the Blues were 2-0 down after 65 minutes – goals from Richarlison and Christian Kabasele putting the Hornets in charge.
Oumar Niasse pulled one back for the Toffees on 67 minutes, before substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed home to make it 2-2 with just over a quarter of an hour left.
And after Jose Holebas brought down Aaron Lennon in the box in time added on, Baines made no mistake from the penalty spot to complete an incredible turnaround.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Anthony Taylor
Premier League matches refereed this season: 18
Yellow cards issued: 68 (3.8 per game)
Red cards issued: 0
Debut Premier League match: February 2010 (Fulham v Portsmouth)
Everton FC