The Watford FC team we think will face Everton

If Quique Sanchez Flores knows the XI he wants to start at Goodison Park on Saturday, and you sincerely hope he does, then he is keeping it well hidden. Any scouts Everton has sent to see the Hornets play in Cardiff and Sevilla will have left scratching their heads about what on earth they present to Roberto Martinez in terms of opposition analysis.

We thought Sanchez Flores had revealed his hand by playing 4-3-2-1 in the first four friendlies and that he would use matches in Dundee, Cardiff and at Vicarage Road simply to finalise the personnel and integrate post-Germany signings Jose Manuel Jurado and Steven Berghuis. Not a bit of it. The head has tinkered with the formation (4-3-3, 4-5-1, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 have all been toyed with) and placed a couple of square pegs (Etienne Capoue and Ikechi Anya) in round holes (left side of a midfield three and left-back, respectively). The only consistent thing about team selection right now is its inconsistency.

The teamsheet Troy Deeney, as captain, will hand to referee Mike Jones around 2pm will be one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent seasons. And, ahead of the big kick-off, we have stepped into the shoes of Watford’s head coach to pick what XI we think he will field. It’s not been easy and we know there will be some wanting to knock on our door at being left out but on the basis Almen Abdi is injured and Stephen Berghuis is only fit enough to be on the bench, our XI is below. And before you question our selections, and we hope you do, our explanation is below.

EXPLANATION

Formation

We know the head coach favours 4-2-3-1 but, with Abdi injured and Berghuis not up to speed, he does not have the players to execute it. As the Hornets are pitched away from home, we think Sanchez Flores, who likes his team to be compact first and foremost, will opt to play three more defence minded players in front of the back four. Ideally, he’d like no more than a fag paper separating his defence and midfield but what he’ll certainly get with Ben Watson is a midfielder mindful of his responsibility. Capoue will be the one allowed to drive forward when appropriate. Jurado and Ighalo will be asked to make up a midfield five when Watford are without the ball and asked to flank Deeney when Watford are in possession.

Why have we selected this XI?

Heurelho Gomes

Has become increasingly uncertain during pre-season but has plenty of credit in the bank from last season and deserves a shot to prove himself again at top level. Needs to be decisive when the ball is at his feet and parry shots wide instead of into the path of oncoming attackers.

Allan Nyom

His last competitive match was against Atletico Madrid in a goalless draw and he will need to show a similar level of resilience at Goodison Park if he is to keep another clean sheet. Sanchez Flores has reminded him about tucking in when the ball is on the other side and making sure he is aware of the attacker on his shoulder.

Craig Cathcart

Even if Miguel Britos wasn’t suspended Cathcart would probably still get the nod. Was hugely impressive at Cardiff, although he blotted his copybook by overplaying on one occasion against Sevilla. He needs to cut out the one hari-kiri moment a game otherwise Watford will be punished at this exalted level.

Sebastian Prodl

You don’t sign someone from Werder Bremen, on a five-year contract, and leave him on the bench. Has started every game since he arrived and impressed with his on-pitch communication. He last competitive game was in Russia. He needs to keep Lukaku out in the cold on Saturday.

Jose Holebas

The head coach threw a curve ball when he named Anya at left-back in the dress rehearsal against Sevilla. It is difficult to imagine why you wouldn’t play the Greece international against Everton but stranger things have happened. We think he gets the nod, mainly because he represents the most Watford have ever paid for a defender.

Valon Behrami

A certain starter if fit. By his own admission he needs to play with more discipline, both positionally and aggression wise, but he is one of the first names on the teamsheet as Watford will need all the experience he has picked up at Napoli, Fiorentina, Hamburg and West Ham.

Etienne Capoue

Watford need their record signing to prove he’s worth every penny of the £6million they paid Tottenham for him. Started the friendly programme well but has faded in the last couple of games. Hopefully the France international is keeping something in reserve.

Ben Watson

Didn’t start against Sevilla which was something of a surprise. Sanchez Flores seems to like the omnipresent midfielder – and not just because he fills one of the important homegrown player slots. The head coach sprung a surprise by naming him in a more advanced role against SC Paderborn 07, with Behrami playing deeper, but one of his main duties was to track back and protect Holebas. That’s why we think he may get the nod on Saturday.

Odion Ighalo

It would have been interesting to see if the Nigerian, a real hit with the fans, would have made the cut had Sanchez Flores had all his attacking options open. We’ll never know now but he’s a shoe-in to start against the Toffees. Expect him to drop into a spot on the right hand side of a five-man midfield when Everton have the ball but to provide support to Deeney when Watford have possession.

Jose Manuel Jurado

If he’s fit, he plays. Simple as. He was among the first names the head coach gave to Gino Pozzo when they discussed targets, having worked with him at Atletico Madrid and although he was injured on Friday, he has more match fitness than anyone in the squad because the Russian league, where he was playing with Spartak Moscow is well underway.

Troy Deeney

The captain, the dressing room leader and the scorer of 20 plus goals in each of the past three seasons. Need we say more?

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