Everton's revival trimmed back by unlikely sources
Relegated Watford could still have a huge say in which team will join them and Norwich City in the EFL Championship next season when they host Everton on Wednesday night at Vicarage Road. The hosts have been abject for quite some time, especially in south Hertfordshire, but there are many examples throughout football of the drop suddenly liberating a side. Read our preview here:
Dennis the menace
Roy Hodgson is certain not to be with the Hornets in 2022/2023, a move which will be the relief to many of the club's fans after failing miserably to turn their fortunes around. On the pitch, even with nine players likely to be out, there is still a lot of talent, some of whom won't be playing second tier football in little over two months' time. Chief amongst them is Emmanuel Dennis. The Nigerian forward is one of the very few bright spots in yellow, amassing 10 league goals despite being devoid of service more often than not in a struggling, ever-changing side. The visitors are extremely defensively suspect, so along with Joshua King and Ismaïla Sarr, there is scope for him to add to his admirable tally.
Flash Gordon
The unexpected win over Chelsea was followed up with another over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, making relegation rivals Leeds United the current occupants of the dreaded 'last' spot. Frank Lampard's much-maligned charges aren't out of the woods yet, however, and will need performances from the supporting cast members like Anthony Gordon in addition to stars like Richarlison. The 21 year old has had a decent campaign while many of his more experienced teammates have faltered, and he'll be tasked with supporting the Brazilian forward by getting beyond the hosts' backline and pressing them into errors when the ball is lost.
Betting tip
On paper, this ought to be a third win in a row for a resurgent Everton, but the liberation that relegation can bring a team, coupled with their own defensive frailties, make that outcome far from certain. A draw with both teams scoring can be backed at 4.80 with Parimatch.
