Everton continue their fight for survival as Frank Lampard’s Toffees host Newcastle United at Goodison Park in a rearranged Premier League clash.
Victory would see Everton stay 17th but move three points clear of the relegation zone, whereas Newcastle can climb to 12th with a win.
Team News
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to return for Everton after recovering from illness which forced him to miss Sunday’s loss to Wolves.
Jonjoe Kenny is suspended for this match after he was red carded against Wolves on Sunday.
Tom Davies, Fabian Delph (both thigh) and Yerry Mina (quad) remain absent.
Newcastle could be without Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey after the pair missed Sunday’s defeat at Chelsea through illness.
Joelinton (groin) and Federico Fernandez (muscle) are doubts but Kieran Trippier (foot), Jamal Lewis (groin), Isaac Hayden (knee) and Callum Wilson (calf) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Everton have won just one of their last six league meetings against Newcastle (W1, D2, L3).
- Newcastle have claimed five points from their last three away trips to Goodison Park (W1, D2).
- Newcastle’s Callum Wilson scored twice in both meetings against Everton last season (W2).
- Everton have hit the woodwork on less occasions than any other Premier League team this season, having struck the woodwork on only three occasions.
- No Newcastle player has played more through balls this season than Allan Saint-Maximin, with the French midfielder having produced ten through balls in 25 league appearances.
Prediction
With only goal difference keeping them above the relegation zone and three matches in hand, Everton simply need to start stepping up their game although there were positives in Sunday’s defeat because they were overall better despite lacking the finishing touch.
Newcastle however will be eager to bounce back from a harsh loss at Chelsea which ended their nine match unbeaten run, especially given how well their formation gamble paid off with excellent defending until a late attack simply caught them out.
I however do expect Newcastle to revert to their usual formation here which should enable them to attack more in a winnable game, meaning that Everton will need to be clinical because if they don’t start taking chances soon then they will end up in that relegation zone.
Lampard though surely will have one eye on Sunday’s FA Cup Quarter-Final at Crystal Palace, whereas this is Newcastle’s last game for two weeks so I expect the Magpies to go out and get the win if they can quickly put their late heartbreak at Chelsea behind them.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Newcastle
Result: Everton 1-0 Newcastle
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