Though things looked promising initially, it was a somewhat tough start to life as manager of the Toffees for new boss Frank Lampard at the start of 2022. Everton beat Leeds United in just Lampard’s second match in charge, but followed that result up with four straight defeats in the league.

They would avenge those earlier losses with a last-gasp Alex Iwobi winner against Newcastle United at Goodison Park in March. Despite defeat in an engaging Merseyside derby against Liverpool, Everton had previously beaten Manchester United and they have since won their last two matches against Chelsea and Leicester City. They currently sit 16th in the table with a fixture in hand – a point above Leeds who currently occupy the final relegation position.

For more on the opposition, click HERE.

Watford won the reverse fixture against Everton 5-2 in October and are looking to pick up consecutive league victories against the Toffees for the very first time.

Everton have lost three of their last four Premier League away games against Watford, though they did win 3-2 on their last visit to Vicarage Road in February 2020.

The Hornets have scored five goals against Everton in the Premier League this season – only versus three sides have they netted six or more goals in a single Premier League campaign (8 v Cardiff in 2018/19, 6 v Chelsea in 2017/18 and 6 v Aston Villa in 2015/16).

For the full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Everton In Numbers.

João Pedro faced a late fitness test after missing Saturday’s Crystal Palace match with a minor groin problem. The forward trained earlier in the week and is hopeful of being involved against the Toffees, as is fellow Brazilian Samir, who was withdrawn at Selhurst Park with a minor knock.

Tom Cleverley is doubtful after being forced off at the weekend with a blow to the ribs, while Kiko Femenía and Joshua King are both suffering from illness and may miss out.

Ismaïla Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis are major doubts with knocks sustained against the Eagles, while young forward Shaq Forde is suffering with an ankle injury he picked up in training.

Definitely unavailable are Juraj Kucka (knee) and Cucho Hernández (hamstring), while Nicolas Nkoulou (minor groin problem) is also absent but should be okay for the Leicester match on Sunday (May 15, 2pm KO).

Imrân Louza (knee) had surgery earlier in the week and will be out for the rest of this season.

Hassane Kamara serves a one-match suspension following his sending off on Saturday, and Kwadwo Baah is away on international duty with Germany Under-19s.

For Everton, Yerry Mina (calf), Donny van de Beek (groin) and Ben Godfrey (quadriceps) are definitely out, as are Nathan Patterson (ankle) and Andros Townsend (ACL) who will be absent for the remainder of the season.

Vitaliy Mykolenko is available however, after coming off during the Toffees’ win over Leicester with cramp.

“I think you appeal to their [the players] pride and sense of professionalism [as motivation]. We’ve lost so many players that we find ourselves in the middle of an injury crisis. There’ll be an opportunity for some players to come in and make their case that perhaps I should have been picking them.

“I’ve got a strong opinion of him [Lampard] as a player, he played for me for England and was a wonderful player so I have the greatest admiration for him as a player.

“His managerial career started very well at Derby County, he did brilliantly. He did well at Chelsea but wasn’t given a particularly long spell to really show what he could do, and now at Everton, in this situation he finds himself in, he is showing all of the signs of having the qualities needed as a manager to pull the team out of the fire.”

“The only message for us – although we enjoyed the weekend and it was a game that got us out of the relegation zone – is that it is very dangerous to relax.

“Every game in the Premier League is dangerous - especially away from home, we found that out for a while. It changed at Leicester, but the minute you think you’ve cracked it, you’ll struggle.

“There is a good feeling in the group from winning back-to back games and in terms of confidence we are ready to go again. To underestimate Watford would be our biggest danger.”

October 2021: Everton 2-5 Watford (Premier League) February 2020: Watford 2-3 Everton (Premier League) October 2019: Everton 2-0 Watford (Carabao Cup) August 2019: Everton 1-0 Watford (Premier League) February 2019: Watford 1-0 Everton (Premier League) December 2018: Everton 2-2 Watford (Premier League)

A Stefano Okaka brace and a Sebastian Prödl goal was enough to beat the Toffees 3-2 back in December 2016.

To receive exclusive content every month and other great benefits sign up to our monthly eNewsletter