Everton and Watford have both had decent seasons all things considering. Although Everton has gotten blown out by the best teams in England, they are in the middle of the table because they have taken care of business against lesser foes. They stand little chance of qualifying for European play, but the club is equally as unlikely to be in the relegation battle at the end of the season.
Watford is a couple spots behind them in the table, but it has a few more worries. Only four points separate them from the drop zone with 11 games left in the season. It might be pretty unlikely considering Watford has seven clubs between them and relegation, but a few consecutive losses would put them in a much worse spot.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Vicarage Road at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Everton +229
Watford +125
Draw +232
Over/Under 2, 2.5
Odds Analysis
Watford is not that much of a favorite despite being at home for this one. That’s because the Hornets have not been good at Vicarage Road all season long, posting a mediocre record of 4-4-5, but they did beat Chelsea 4-1 in their last home game.
The Toffees have been an abysmal road team this season. Everton has a 1-5-7 record away from home and a -19 goal differential in those games.
When these teams played in Everton earlier in the season, it was a heartbreaking loss for Watford. Watford was up 2-0 at the 65-minute mark, but then allowed two quick goals in the next ten minutes. In extra time, Everton were awarded a penalty kick that Leighton Baines smashed home to get the win.
Key Injuries
Unfortunately for Everton, they will be without Leighton Baines for this one. Baines has been out since the end of November with a calf injury and is expected to miss even more time. He is training again, but it will still take a few more weeks for him to return to action. Midfielder James McCarthy is lost for the rest of the season due to a broken tibia and fibula.
The injury bug has bit Watford hard this season. The Hornets have seven or eight people that are currently on the injured list, but some of those might be able to suit up for this match. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes seems set to start after being sidelined with back spasms, and three others may go. Center back Miguel Britos, midfielder Will Hughes, and right back Kiko Femenia could all be in the starting eleven versus Everton.
Recent Form
Over their last five games, Everton has lost by four to Tottenham and Arsenal, drew West Brom, and defeated Leicester City and Crystal Palace. They have not picked up a point on the road since a Boxing Day draw to West Brom.
Watford hammered Chelsea in a stunning win a few weeks back, but things have been relatively mundane other then that. They drew to Stoke and Southampton and lost by two goals to West Ham and Leicester.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Keep an eye on the injury report in the leadup to this one. Watford could have four contributors back for this one, with the possible return of Femenia being huge. Feminia has been a solid right back this season and the team has really struggled defending quick wingers without him.
Both teams would be content with a draw here. At this point of the season, every point matters and getting one point would be nothing to turn your nose at. The draw has decent odds all things considering, and is worth some of your coin. For the total, take the under. Both teams are averaging nearly three goals in their games, but much of that is a result of lopsided scorelines against bigger clubs.
English Premier League Odds: Everton 1, Watford 1
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