Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton clash vs Watford
Everton will look to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham when they host Watford on Saturday.
The Toffees suffered their second Premier League defeat of the campaign against the Hammers, but they will fancy their chances of a win against a struggling Hornets side.
Liverpool strolled to comfortable victory at Vicarage Road last weekend, and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson expects Rafa Benitez’s side to bag all three points at Goodison Park.
He wrote in his column on the website while predicting a 2-0 win: “I’m not sure what Watford were trying to do in their 5-0 defeat by Liverpool last weekend, in Claudio Ranieri’s first game as Hornets boss.
“They made it so easy for Liverpool, and didn’t even start to try to play until they were 4-0 down.
“Watford have to do more here, but I don’t think this is a good time for them to play Everton, who were beaten at home by former manager David Moyes’ West Ham at the weekend.
“We will see a reaction from Rafa Benitez’s side too, that’s for sure. I know they are still without Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front, but they should still win this one.”
Comfortable win?
Everton will not be underestimating Watford in any way, but they are the better team on the paper despite recent injury woes, and they should not struggle to bag victory.
With Abdoulaye Doucoure out for the next six weeks or so, the Toffees midfield could be in for a tough time.
Despite winning just twice and losing five games so far, the London side are capable of producing a shocker given their new manager.
The Blues’ chances will hinge on whether they have someone capable of replicating the influential displays of their injured French powerhouse.
Having Richarlison back could see their attack hit the right notes, though, following last weekend’s struggles against the Hammers.
Everton are not expected to have a hard time against Watford, and while they are favourites, nothing can be ruled out.
In other Everton news, Benitez has admitted he finds it hard to understand Toffees man sometimes.
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