Watford eye relegation zone escape

Watford know they would climb off the bottom of the Premiership table with a draw or better at home to Everton today, a team they had not beaten for 20 years.

West Ham’s defeat at Charlton meant a point will be enough to overtake Alan Curbishley’s side, with the Addicks due at Vicarage Road next week for another 90 minutes of huge significance.

Watford will have to make do without injured goalkeeper Ben Foster however, with Richard Lee deputising, with Malky Mackay replacing Dan Shittu at the back.

Everton arrive in Hertfordshire with many fans questioning the club’s ambition, to the annoyance of manager David Moyes, who is able to pick top scorer Andrew Johnson despite earlier fitness worries.

Watford: Lee, Mariappa, DeMerit, Mackay, Stewart, Smith, Francis, Mahon, Bouazza, Henderson, Kabba.

Subs: Loach, Doyley, McNamee, Williams, Priskin.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Naysmith, Fernandes, Carsley, Cahill, Arteta, Johnson, Beattie.

Subs: Wright, Hibbert, Osman, Vaughan, Anichebe.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).