Rafa Benitez says Everton’s ability to add creativity to defensive resilience in the absence of key attackers points to a well-oiled unit – but is urging his side to convert their opportunities against Watford on Saturday.

There is not team in Europe’s traditional big-five leagues that has conceded fewer ‘big chances’ per game than Everton (2.6) this term.

Additionally, according to data released by the CIES Football Observatory, Everton rank fourth among sides in the top divisions in England, Italy, Germany, Spain and France for the ratio of big chances created to conceded.

Benitez was particularly satisfied with Everton's capacity to carve out scoring opportunities despite missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison for the past four league matches.

The carrot for taking those chances this weekend – and providing a quick-fire response to defeat by West Ham United last Sunday – is a climb into the Premier League’s top four at full-time.

“I am really pleased [with the statistics], it is a pity we lost the last game or it would be a little bit better,” said Benitez.

“You can see we don’t have the strikers who were here last year. But the team is creating chances and scoring goals and not conceding, so it is a great compliment for the way we are working as a team.

“The start has been good, if you consider the top scorers are not available and still the team is in a good position and fighting and creating chances.

“The other day [against West Ham] we had chances and maybe a draw would have been fairer and we would be in the top four but it is like that.

“I am confident we will do well now and at the end of the season, which is the most important thing, the last 10 games.”

Everton are creating six big chances – defined as ‘clear-cut chances to score a goal' – per Premier League match this term.

Only English champions Manchester City and Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, domestic title holders in Germany and France respectively, boast a better chances-created-to-conceded ratio in the leading five European leagues than Everton (2.33).

Indeed, only City across those divisions match Everton’s 2.6 chances-conceded.

Everton are braced for the absence of one of the key figures in compiling those impressive numbers.

The indefatigable Abdoulaye Doucoure is out for an unspecified period after suffering a stress response in a bone in his foot during the West Ham clash.

A blow, admits Everton manager Benitez, but by no means fatal, with players craving opportunities to impress.

Everton remain without Calvert-Lewin but Richarlison is in contention to return from the knee complaint that sidelined the Brazilian forward for six weeks.

“I agree Doucoure has a lot of energy,” said Benitez. “How can we replace him? With someone who has the same passion and motivation and, hopefully, the same energy.

“But the main thing is to be sure they will go on the pitch and try to do their best for the team and I am sure the player who will play in his position will do it.

“We have some issues but are bringing back some players, little by little, and, hopefully we have more coming soon.

“We will not see Dominic for four or five weeks, then we will see what is happening.

“It is difficult to accept and manage and we are trying to be sure we can improve every department and find solutions.

“We brought Cristian Fernandez as a rehabilitation coach [Fernandez’s appointment was confirmed on Monday] to be sure we can help the department with those kinds of things.”

Benitez will renew acquaintances on Saturday with Claudio Ranieri, appointed Watford boss this month.

The pair’s relationship stretches back further than a first competitive meeting in a La Liga fixture in November 1998.

Benitez visited Ranieri during the Italian’s Fiorentina reign between 1993-97 – a gesture Benitez reciprocated after beginning work in England.

“He always has energy and he loves football,” added Benitez.

“Claudio treated me really well [during Fiorentina visit] and we were friends since then.

“He is a very good professional and has passion… a very good manager and person and friend.”