Everton vs Watford. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance38,550.
Friday 12 May 2017 21:05, UK
Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is fit to face Watford in their final home match of the season on Friday.
The Frenchman missed the last two games with a thigh problem but is now ready to return at Goodison Park, where Watford will be hoping for a result to mathematically guarantee their survival - although they're six points clear of the relegation zone with a far superior goal difference to Hull in 18th.
Question marks hang over Everton as they head into the game, with the future of Ross Barkley up in the air after Ronald Koeman said he had one more week to decide his future at the club.
On the visit of Watford, though, Koeman said he hopes for three points to thank the fans for their support this season.
"We've had some great wins - we've had a great home season," he said. "The fans deserve a win tomorrow."
Aside from Schneiderlin's return, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has a groin injury so Joel Robles will be recalled for Everton. Midfielder Muhamed Besic features in the squad for the first time this season after a serious knee injury.
Watford defender Jose Holebas should be available for the Premier League match at Everton following a foot injury. Midfielder Tom Cleverley is ineligible to face the Toffees under the terms of his loan deal, which is to become a permanent switch in the summer, but Ben Watson should travel after recovering from his groin problem.
Centre-back Miguel Britos (leg) and Craig Cathcart (knee) are still not fit while Younes Kaboul (hamstring), Roberto Pereyra (knee) and forward Mauro Zarate (anterior cruciate ligament) all continue their rehabilitations.
After winning their first four Premier League encounters with Watford between 1999 and 2007, the Toffees have failed to win any of their last three (D2 L1).
However, the Hornets have never won at Goodison Park in the Premier League - drawing one and losing two.
Indeed, Watford have never won away at Everton in any competition, losing nine out of 10 games. They avoided defeat in their last visit there in August 2015 however, a 2-2 draw on the opening day of last season.
The Hornets defeated Everton at Vicarage Road earlier this season (3-2). They have only defeated a side both home and away in a single Premier League season on two occasions before - Aston Villa and Newcastle United, both in 2015-16.
Watford (40 points) still need five points from their remaining three matches to equal their 45-point tally from last season under Quique Sanchez Flores.
Everton have failed to score in each of their last three Premier League games - they haven't failed in four consecutively since April 2006.
Watford are on holiday. It's understandable because they've done just about to enough to stay up, but they've been so poor lately and I can't see that changing. Everton got beaten against Swansea last time out, which was a poor result, but they'll want to finish strongly at home.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
Everton are Sky Bet's 4/9 favourites for the victory with Watford priced at 11/2 while the draw an 18/5 chance. Romelu Lukaku is odds-on to end the season as the Premier League's top goalscorer and is also the clear favourite in the first goalscorer betting at 5/2. Sky Bet rate Troy Deeney as the Hornets' main threat at 9/1 to net first, while a goalless affair is a 14/1 chance.
