Everton V Watford at Goodison Park

Everton boss Roberto Martinez feels the fixture list has been unkind to his side but has stressed the Toffees must get momentum going early in their Barclays Premier League campaign. He knows football, he is a very experienced manager and I believe we are going to do great things with him. For us he understands perfectly the culture of the Premier League, the culture of the teams, the citizens in England. “We need to bring more three players into the squad”, Martinez said.

Midfielder Almen Abdi is a doubt with a knee injury and a late decision will be taken on Dutch signing Steven Berghuis (leg), but Joel Ekstrand remains sidelined with the cruciate knee injury he sustained in March.

The key for Flores will be how quickly his new players can gel as he looks to stamp his style on the club, and although the test is to stay in the Premier League for another season at least, the fans will be eager to see how the squad matches up against one of the league’s established sides.

“We are favourite for relegation but we are working every day of the season to remove this idea from our mind”, he said. “I also expect Kevin Mirallas and John Stones to be fit”, Martinez told reporters on Thursday.

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Watford finished second in the Championship League last season and has been promoted to the Premier League for the first time in eight years.

While the Hornets are excited to be back in the mainstream, the Toffees are also keen on winning their first game in months.

Watford were one of only two teams (along with Blackburn) in the top four tiers to see two players reach 20 goals last season (Ighalo and Deeney).

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores says Roberto Martinez is widely considered as a thoroughbred Englishman back in his native Spain.

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