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What time is kick off?

3pm at Goodison Park.

How can I watch it?

Unfortunately, the game is not being screened live on UK television. You can catch the action on 'Saturday Night Football: Match Choice' (10pm, Sky Sports 1), or hang on for the highlights on Match of the Day (10.20pm, BBC1). Although, if you want to chance your arm that the local pub might show it on Saturday afternoon, we won't dissuade you...

Who is the ref?

Mike Jones will be in the middle. The Chester-based 47-year-old was also in charge of Everton's opening-day fixture last season, presiding over their 2-2 draw at Leicester. He last refereed the Blues back in April, for their 1-0 win over Burnley at Goodison, sending off the Clarets' Ashley Barnes as well as awarding Everton a penalty, which Ross Barkley missed.

Who should I look out for in the Watford team?

Good question. The Hornets have been one of the more active sides in the transfer market this summer, making a total of 11 new signings. Of those, the likes of Jose Manuel Jurado, Valon Behrami and Etienne Capoue arrive with stellar reputations, though Watford's main goal threat is likely to come from skipper Troy Deeney, who netted 21 times in the Championship last season. Odion Ighalo, the Nigerian international, scored 20, while Matej Vydra chipped in with 16.

Who is their manager?

Quique Sanchez Flores will be taking charge of his first game as Watford boss on Saturday, having replaced former Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic at the end of last season. The Spaniard has won honours with both Benifca and Atletico Madrid in the past, though his last spell in management, at Getafe, lasted just over a month.

Any injury news?

For Everton, Kevin Mirallas and John Stones are expected to shake off knocks, but Gerard Deulofeu is expected to miss out with a hamstring problem. Romelu Lukaku will face a late fitness test, but the Blues will be without Tony Hibbert, Darron Gibson, Mo Besic, Aiden McGeady and Steven Pienaar.

Watford, meanwhile, will be without defender Joel Ekstrand (knee) and newboy Miguel Britos, who is serving a three-game ban after an incident playing for Napoli last season. Midfielders Steven Berghuis and Almen Abdi are both doubts, too.

What happened last time the sides met?

Everton 3-0 at Vicarage Road back in February 2007. Manuel Fernandes scored his first Blues goal that day, while Andy Johnson and Leon Osman were also on the scoresheet.

The last time Watford visited Goodison was for another opening-day clash, back in 2006. They were beaten 2-1, with Everton's goals coming from Johnson and Mikel Arteta. Alan Stubbs' own goal was the Hornets' consolation.

Any memorable meetings from down the years?

Of course. The 1984 FA Cup final for starters. Everton and Watford didn't actually meet in a competitive game until 1982, but two years later they would be pitched together at Wembley.

The Blues won 2-0 on the day, thanks to goals from Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray. Watford's side, managed by Graham Taylor, contained both John Barnes, who went on to star for Liverpool, and future Everton striker Mo Johnston.

Interestingly, the sides met again just four months after the cup final, this time at Vicarage Road. The score? 5-4 to Everton!

Any other interesting stuff I should be aware of?

Much is made of the approach taken by Watford's owners, the controversial Pozzo family. The Italians also control Serie A side Udinese and La Liga outfit Granada, and have come under fire for their policy of switching players between the clubs. As such, the Hornets dressing room boasts no fewer than 22 nationalities, with the likes of Lithuania, Venezuela and Algeria all represented.

What should I be betting on, then?

Well Everton are 8/11 to get off to a winning start, with Watford 19/4 and the draw at 29/10. Not too much value there. A repeat of the 2006 meeting, though, looks tempting. The 2-1 correct score (to Everton) is 8/1, while you can get 5/2 for 'Everton win and both teams to score'

Fantasy Football tip?

Having returned to full fitness in time, Leighton Baines is a good candidate to get your team points from his laser-guided assists and defensive nous in helping keep clean sheets.

Have you picked your Echo Fantasy Football team yet? Do it here.