Everton v Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Everton host Newcastle in the English Premier League on Thursday. The Toffees were docked 10 points for FFP breaches but have won seven of their last 11 matches in all competitions. The Magpies are winless in their last three league matches away from home.

Everton Form

Everton has bounced back after a poor start to this season with four losses in the opening five Premier League matches. In the league and Carabao Cup, it’s seven wins in the last 11 fixtures. They won 3-1 at Brentford in the league and 3-1 at Aston Villa in the Cup. A complacent 2-1 home defeat to Luton Town followed.

In the last eight matches, their only defeats were 2-0 at Liverpool with ten men and at home to Man Utd. Everton have beaten Bournemouth 3-0 at home and won 1-0 at West Ham. After a 1-1 home draw with Brighton, Sean Dyche’s side won 3-2 at Crystal Palace. A 3-0 home defeat to Man Utd saw the Toffees put up 24 shots and 2.47 xG. Last weekend, they won 1-0 away at Crystal Palace.

Everton Team News

Dyche could have Dominic Calvert-Lewin available again up-front. He missed the win at Forest with Beto leading the line. Amadou Onana is also close to returning from a calf problem, but he may have to settle for a place on the bench. James Garner is playing well in a deeper midfield role of late.

Andre Gomes and Dele Alli are the two other players missing for this match, but neither would have started. Ashley Young will continue at right back with Jarrad Branthwaite starting over Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey in central defence.

Everton Motivation

Right now, confidence in the squad is high. Everton haven’t been winning in the league at Goodison Park though.

Dyche’s team will look to be solid and use quick counters and direct play. A draw would be a good result from this match.

Newcastle Form

The Magpies have been a bit up and down of late. Prior to the recent FIFA break, they lost three of six matches. After losing 1-0 at home to Dortmund, they could only draw 2-2 at Wolves. A strong response followed, winning 3-0 at Man Utd in the Carabao Cup and 1-0 vs Newcastle in the league. They went into the international break by losing 2-0 at both Dortmund and Bournemouth in the league as injuries took their toll.

Since then, it’s been three very strong performances in a row despite having a dozen injuries to navigate. Newcastle thrashed Chelsea 4-1 and then drew 1-1 at PSG after a refereeing mistake cost them dearly. On Saturday, they totally dominated Man Utd in a 1-0 home victory. The Magpies outshot their opponents 14-2 in the first half.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe has 13 players unavailable for this match. Nick Pope is the latest bad injury with Martin Dubravka set to deputise in goal. Dan Burn, Matt Targett, and Sven Botman are absent at the back.

In midfield, Elliot Anderson and Sean Longstaff are out whilst Joe Willock suffered another injury and Sandro Tonali is banned. Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and Callum Wilson are absent up front and Anthony Gordon is carrying a knock. Another start for 17-year-old Lewis Miley is expected.

Newcastle Motivation

The focus and motivation of the side can not be questioned. They’ve used the same starting XI for three matches in a row with barely any subs used.

They will fight to win this match, but a draw is not a disaster in the circumstances.

Key Stats

Everton have won 7 of their last 11 matches in all competitions

Everton have won just 1 of their 7 home league matches this season

Newcastle are winless in 3 EPL away matches (DDL)

Newcastle have won 5 of their last 6 matches vs Everton

Verdict

Everton’s home struggles and Newcastle’s injuries make this a difficult game to call. A draw may be the best value in this clash or looking at the double chance market.

Best Bet: Draw at 3.35

Alternative Bet: Newcastle win/draw double chance + Under 3.5 goals at 1.86

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis