The Premier League is known across Europe for how busy it becomes around Christmas and the hectic schedule is underway. Everton play host to Watford on Monday night as both sides look to consolidate top half places.

STATS

• Everton will be really pleased with their state of affairs so far this season as they sit 7^th in the league with the chance to go above Manchester United with a win against Watford. Despite winning just two of their last six, they are in a very good position, currently occupying the title of “the best of the rest”. They were forced to come from behind against Newcastle last time out, drawing 1-1.
• Watford began the campaign in much the same way as Everton but have fallen off in recent weeks, leaving them outside the top half in 13^th. Even though they have failed to win in their last five league games, they are still only three points away from the Toffees so a win would take them level on points. They put up a decent fight against Man City in their last game, losing just 2-1.
• Richarlison, who Everton obviously signed from Watford, is his side’s top scorer this season with seven league goals. Gylfi Sigurdsson isn’t far behind with six goals.
• Roberto Pereyra has been Watford’s best player this term and his goals support that as he has netted five in the Premier League.

HEAD TO HEAD

With both sides ending up similar positions in the league over the last few years, the recent meetings have been very tight. Two wins apiece and two draws in the last six games epitomises that with two stalemates in the season after Watford’s promotion to the top-flight. In the most recent match-up in February, the Hornets ran out 1-0 winners at Vicarage Road thanks to Troy Deeney’s goal. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in three of the last six meetings while both teams have scored in four of the six.

EVERTON NEWS

Everton can leapfrog United and move into 6^th place with three points on Monday night and they only have Morgan Schneiderlin unavailable so have a great chance.

Latest matches: Everton FC

05.12.2018	Prem	Everton FC	Newcastle United	1:1	D
02.12.2018	Prem	Liverpool FC	Everton FC	1:0	L
24.11.2018	Prem	Everton FC	Cardiff City	1:0	W
11.11.2018	Prem	Chelsea FC	Everton FC	0:0	D
03.11.2018	Prem	Everton FC	Brighton & Hove Albion FC	3:1	W

WATFORD NEWS

The visitors can move level on points with their opponents with a win and can even go 8^th with a big enough victory. However, without Tom Cleverley, Daryl Janmaat and potentially Will Hughes, they might struggle.

Latest matches: Watford FC

04.12.2018	Prem	Watford FC	Manchester City	1:2	L
01.12.2018	Prem	Leicester City	Watford FC	2:0	L
24.11.2018	Prem	Watford FC	Liverpool FC	0:3	L
10.11.2018	Prem	Southampton FC	Watford FC	1:1	D
03.11.2018	Prem	Newcastle United	Watford FC	1:0	L

SUMMARY

With the recent form of the two sides, Everton go into the game expecting to come away with a win and they should do just that. Although, after scoring against Man City’s strong backline last time out, Watford will be confident of getting on the scoresheet and should do so, backing both selections could be beneficial.