Newcastle face Everton in a mid-table Premier League clash in the race for European qualification.
Victory could lift Newcastle up to eighth if Bournemouth slip up at home to Sunderland in the lunchtime kick-off, whilst Everton likewise can move up into eighth with a win if better the result of Andoni Iraola’s Cherries.
Team News
Jacob Ramsey is a doubt for Newcastle after he missed their 3-2 home win against Qarabag in the Champions League’s Knockout Play-Offs, due to a hamstring injury.
Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley (both knee), Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento (both hamstring) and Fabian Schar (ankle) remain absent.
Everton will welcome defender, Jake O’Brien back from his one-match ban, which saw him miss their 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United.
Mark Travers (finger) is a doubt but Carlos Alcaraz (knock) and Jack Grealish (foot) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Everton at St James’ Park on Saturday 28 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won one of their last five meetings against Everton (W1, D2, L2).
- Everton have won one of their last five visits to Newcastle (W1, D1, L3).
- Joe Willock and Dwight McNeil have been brought onto the pitch as substitutes for Newcastle and Everton respectively in their last two meetings.
- Newcastle have won one of their last five league matches (W1, L4).
- Everton are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive league defeats for the first time since December 2024 – January 2025.
Prediction
Having dominated Qarabag on Tuesday evening despite some sloppy defending to nearly throw away their lead, Newcastle need to find a way to translate their recent European form over to domestic league action if want a shot at European qualification.
Everton meanwhile will be disappointed to have not got a draw against Man Utd given their dominance in that game but they now need to bring more clinical quality, especially given their recent away struggles at St James’ Park but their defence is definitely tough to break down for the opposition.
With that in mind, I expect this to be a close cagey game because Everton will probably let Newcastle have the dominant possession, yet position themselves to defend resiliently and hit the Magpies on the counter-attack so a draw feels a fair guess.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Everton
Result: Newcastle 2-3 Everton