Everton may need to show patience to see off Watford

Premier League
Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event, 8pm Monday

Watford supporters would no doubt love to get one over their former manager Marco Silva, who departed for Merseyside in acrimonious circumstances, but Everton should come out on top at Goodison Park.

Silva's name is mud down Watford way after Everton's approach for him last term was the catalyst for their decision to sack him following a poor run of results after the Portuguese gaffer made it clear he would like to talk to the Toffees.

The fact that Silva and Watford's former star man Richarlison have made such positive impacts since arriving at Everton will have only turned up the heat on the reception they can expect from the travelling supporters.

However, Silva can have the last laugh and Everton are fancied to get over the line following a tight opening half.

The Toffees have had a controlled look about them this season which has led to slow starts and 12 of their 15 Premier League matches have been level at half-time.

That run includes nine of their last ten games and highlights the good work Silva has been able to do in a short spell, but also how much more needs to happen for the Toffees to crack the top six.

Richarlison has a more than respectable seven goals in 13 league outings this season and Gylfi Sigurdsson is on six, but nobody else has more than two, which suggests a centre-forward must be their priority in the January transfer window.

Cenk Tosun is not quite up to the standard required and if they can get a new striker in as a focal point with Bernard, Sigurdsson and Richarlison in behind they would look dangerous.

Another must for January is to try to tie up Andre Gomes on a permanent deal after his excellent impression in midfield on loan from Barcelona.

Gomes has given Everton a degree of control in the middle of the park and defensively they are decent with only six goals conceded in their last nine matches - unfortunately for them one of those came via a Jordan Pickford howler in the 1-0 derby loss to Liverpool.

Premier League standings

Watford started the season with a bang, winning their first four matches, but since the September international break they have collected just eight points from the 33 available.

Only one of those points was obtained in the last five matches, in which they have also failed to score a first-half goal.

Early in the season Troy Deeney and Andre Gray were wreaking havoc, but Deeney has not scored since the win over Tottenham on September 2 and Gray last bagged on September 22.

Recommendation
Draw-Everton double result
1pt 15-4 Betway, 188Bet

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Everton
Morgan Schneiderlin is Everton's only doubt and the club are hopeful he will be available.

Watford
Will Hughes is doubtful and Etienne Capoue is suspended, but Tom Cleverley could return to the squad.

Key stat
Everton have led at half-time in one of their 15 Premier League matches this season.

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