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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
David Prentice

Everton v Watford prediction: Back Siggy to sprinkle stardust over first Goodison game of season

There could be some new faces on show at Goodison Park, as Everton look to make sure their scoreboard gets to flash that "GOAL" message several times.

Planning a punt? Make sure you read the best betting preview out there by the man who unwraps The Toffees every single week, Phil Kirkbride .

Win, lose or draw?

Everton to win 2-0. The home win is a sold 3/4 shot with thepools.com but the 2-0 correct score is a whopping 7/1 .

Who's a good bet for first scorer?

Marco Silva may well be asking himself the same question!  A shot-shy pre-season was compounded by a 0-0 draw on the opening day at Crystal Palace.

But the Blues fashioned enough chances to have broken the deadlock and though Gylfi Sigurdsson wasted one opportunity, and saw another cleared off the line, back him to get Everton up and running at Goodison. He's 17/4 first scorer and 11/8 to score any time .

Everton star Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates after scoring against Chelsea at Goodison Park (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Who's on the naughty step? (first card)

Etienne Capoue.  He picked up 14 yellow cards last season and is a prime candidate to go into the referee's book.

Who's on pens?

Sigurdsson remains Everton's first-choice man from the spot despite missing three last season and so expect him to step up if the ref points to the spot.  He's 17/4 with the pools.com to be the game's last scorer.

Will Everton keep a clean sheet?

Yes.  Despite only having two senior centre-halves in the squad after failing to land Kurt Zouma in the window, Everton's defence hasn't been a concern this summer.

Michael Keane and Yerry Mina looked good against Palace while Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman have to be considered two of the most dependable full-back pairings in the division.

The worries are at the other end of the pitch. Both Teams To Score 'No' is a very tempting 21/20 .

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