Michael Owen predicts result of Everton clash v Watford
Everton will face Watford in their Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park.
The Toffees will be looking to bounce back to winning ways, after suffering a 1-0 defeat against West Ham last week.
Rafael Benitez’s side are up against Claudio Ranieri’s men who lost 5-0 against Liverpool in their previous game.
Ahead of the match, Michael Owen has predicted a comfortable 3-1 win for the Toffees at Goodison Park.
Owen has suggested that he was “surprised” to see Everton dropping points at home in their last game. He has been left impressed with Benitez so far, and has claimed that the Toffees are unlikely to drop further points at home against Watford.
“Everton have made a good start under Benitez, so I was surprised to see them lose to West Ham last week,” wrote Owen for BetVictor.
“That was their first dropped points at home this season though, and I don’t see them adding to that here.
“I felt sorry for Ranieri last week. I’m surprised he accepted the Watford job and that rout from Liverpool can’t have done much for the squad’s confidence. He’s got a tough run of fixtures ahead and they need points soon.
“I don’t think Watford’s form will change here though. Everton are strong at home and will win this comfortably.”
Dealing with injuries
Everton have been rocked by the news that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
It was previously expected that the England striker would return from a foot injury this month having last played on the final week of August.
However, Benitez confirmed yesterday that his rehab hasn’t gone according to the plan, and the striker could miss up to five more weeks on the sidelines.
The Toffees will be boosted by the return of Richarlison who returns after a five-game absence.
Watford looked helpless against Liverpool, and Owen feels that they are likely to suffer another heavy defeat on Saturday.
Everton have a gruelling fixture list after this, with the Toffees set to face the likes of Wolves, Tottenham, Manchester City, Brentford, Liverpool, and Arsenal in the league.
In other Everton news, the club has been handed an injury boost with a ‘Fantastic’ player returning to training along with Richarlison