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The first day of the Premier League will always excite fans and punters alike, but it`s notoriously hard to find value and winning bets after most teams had very busy transfer windows. However, this looks one in which the bookies made a mistake.
Everton had a dreadful campaign last year, they splashed the cash on Lukaku and were hoping to challenge for Champions League, but instead they finished in the bottom half of the table, close to the relegation spots. This year expectations are much lower, as the club basically kept the same squad and coaching staff, without major additions. The team looked mediocre in pre-season, but Everton will hope to cheat expectations again, this time in a good way.
Watford is back in the Premier League after a 2nd place finish in the Championship last season. The visitors actually led the league until the last round and lost the Championship title in the 92nd minute of the last round, when Sheffield Wednesday scored an equalizer against them. Watford made a number of high profile signings this season (Holebas, Jurado, Prodl, Britos, Behrami, Capoue, Berghuis etc.) and they are clearly on track to avoid relegation if the squad jells well. They look similar to the Leicester of last season in terms of talent. Watford is a solid, organized side and despite not impressing in friendlies, they are on a 7 match unbeated run in official matches.
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Team news & lineups:
Everton might end up being decimated by injuries today. The hosts will definitely miss Hibbert and Pienaar, while Lukaku, McGeady, Gibson, Mirallas, Deulofeu, Besic and Stones could also be out of the lineup. Lukaku, the star, is expected to feature though. Watford will not be able to count on Doyley and Ekstrand, with Anya and Jurado questionable. New signging Britos from Napoli may be suspended, but I have to admit that I don`t know the rules about this when switching divisions. Some English news sites clearly don`t know what they are talking about, as some have him suspended, some eligible.
Everton: Howard – Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman – Barry, Cleverley – McCarthy, Barkley, Naismith – Lukaku
Watford: Gomes – Holebas, Prodl, Cathcart, Anya (Britos) – Capoue, Behrami – Jurado, Vydra, Deeney – Ighalo
Way too much credit given by the bookies to Everton in this Premier League first round, that`s for sure. The hosts have failed to impress in the last season and predictions are not looking good for this season, while Watford is a solid side, well organized, looking like the perfect opponent to upset a side like Everton.
While the Toffees have more experience at this level, Watford’s many signings have tons of international and european experience as well, so that should not be an issue. If Everton wins this it will likely be a hard fought one, but I expect Watford to get something. They have the quality and the confidence, while Everton is far from scaring anybody in the Premier League as this new season starts. Prediction: Everton – Watford 1-1.
Pick: Watford (+0,75 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.93 @ Ladbrokes
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.44
Event date: 8 August
