Marco Silva will be hoping to improve on last weekend’s performance against Crystal Palace when his side take on Watford on Saturday.
The Toffees play hosts to the Hornets at Goodison Park and following an opening day goalless stalemate against Crystal Palace, Silva will be looking to create more against Javi Gracia’s side, while the Spaniard will also be calling on his own side to give more against the Blues.
Watford fell to a surprising 3-0 loss to Brighton in their opening Premier League fixture at Vicarage Road, and fans will be hoping they do better against the Blues, especially given the recently fractured relationship between the two clubs.
Both clubs made a number of first-team recruitments over the course of the summer, and it is likely that several debuts could be made during the game.
Ahead of the fixture, we’ve looked at the three Watford players who could cause Everton the most issues.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
If reports are to be believed, Everton made several bids for the Watford midfielder in the final days of the transfer window, with Silva looking to strengthen his midfield. The French enforcer made an error in scoring an own goal in Watford’s opener against Brighton, but that doesn’t take away from his ability on the pitch, that’ll likely cause Everton issues.
With Everton’s midfield being weakened through Andre Gomes’ injury and Morgan Schneiderlin’s suspension, the Toffees will be more inexperienced in the middle of the park, and if they aren’t careful the 26-year old could have too much of an impact on the tempo of play.
Troy Deeney
While Troy Deeney is by no means the most talented of players among Gracia’s squad, the physical presence and tenacity of the striker will cause problems for Everton’s defensive line.
Last season, Deeney publicly admitted that he was looking to kick lumps out of Everton, as he did with many clubs Watford came up against. It is a classic intimidation and distraction technique, but it could work if Everton aren’t able to manage around the forward’s brutish methods.
Gerard Deulofeu
Someone who is all too familiar to Everton fans, Gerry has come on leaps and bounds since signing for Watford, and is one of the club’s most technically gifted goal threats.
The Spaniard’s fitness levels are notoriously poor, so the further he plays into the game the lesser his impact will be, but from the first whistle he could be a thorn in Everton’s side if he gets his way.
