Newcastle – Everton : Preview & Prediction
A 0-0 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United extended Newcastle United’s unbeaten league run to five games (G2, E3). Draws seem to be the order of the day for Eddie Howe’s side this campaign after recording six draws in ten Premier League games played (G3, P1), but even after those results, Newcastle are close to the top five in the standings and their hopes of playing in Europe for the first time since 2012/13 remain very much alive.
Only Everton’s city rivals Liverpool have managed to beat Newcastle at home in the PL in this calendar year (G9, E4), so many would like to see the “Magpies” avoid the same fate against the blue half of Merseyside. However, a poor record in their last 27 games played on a Wednesday (G3, E5, P19) threatens to do damage to that impressive home run, but with Howe amazingly winning four of his last five private clashes (P1) against an Everton side he supported as a boy, there will be no room for sentiment from the Newcastle manager.
After a six-game unbeaten run in the PL, Everton have put their feet back on the ground with back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Tottenham. The “Toffees” may see this as a more favorable match after being slightly better in the last 11 clashes between them in the northwest (G6, P5), but losing three of the four most recent suggests that this particular series is turning in Newcastle’s favor.
After being embroiled in the relegation battle last season, it was Everton’s home performance that kept them afloat, but to avoid a repeat of that misery, manager Frank Lampard will be looking to improve their away form. Two wins in their previous 22 games away from home (E5, P15) are nothing short of woeful from an Everton perspective, and with their only clean sheet during that stretch coming against a now relegated Watford, the pressure seemingly falls on Everton’s offense to be able to get a good result here.
Players to watch: Each of Kieran Trippier’s three goals for Newcastle have come from direct free kicks at St. James Park, including the last goal in the clash between these teams here last season. Meanwhile, Everton’s Alex Iwobi scored the only goal in the most recent meeting between the two sides, and four of his previous five goals for the Toffees have opened the scoring.
Key stat: Six of Everton’s seven away goals conceded this season have come after the break.
Newcastle – Everton : Betting Tips
Newcastle – Win Odds: 1.55
