Two Premier League teams wey still dey fight to qualify for Europe go clash for St James’ Park on Saturday as Newcastle United host Everton. Newcastle celebrate their first away league win of the season wen dem beat Everton 4-1 for the reverse fixture back in November.
Match Preview
Newcastle dey on high form as dem don win four of their last five games across all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process. The only defeat na 2-1 loss to Manchester City last weekend. Dem don also qualify for the Champions League last 16 for the first time after dem wallop Qarabag FK 9-3 on aggregate (6-1 first leg away, 3-2 second leg at home).
Before dem focus for tricky European tie against either Chelsea or Barcelona, Eddie Howe go need shift attention back to Premier League to try reduce gap to Liverpool for sixth place from 11th.
For the league, Newcastle don lose four of their last five Premier League games, dey average only 1.33 points per game, their lowest under Howe and lowest since 2019-20 with Bournemouth.
Dem dey aim to avoid losing three home games in a row for first time since 2021 under Steve Bruce, and dem dey try complete league double over Everton for sixth time in top flight.
Everton since FA Cup third round loss to Sunderland (Jan 10) don win two, draw two, lose two of last six Premier League games. Dem recently lose back-to-back home games to Bournemouth and Man United, dey sit ninth for table, just one point above Newcastle for 11th.
Everton dey strong for away matches, second most away points since Moyes return (38), and dey one of only two teams to concede fewer than one goal per away game (18 in 22), together with Arsenal (18 in 23). Dem don also win this exact fixture at St James’ Park last season (1-0), dey try get successive away wins over Newcastle for first time since 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Team News
Newcastle midfielder Jacob Ramsey dey doubt after missing midweek win vs Qarabag (hamstring). Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento (hamstring), Fabian Schar (ankle), Lewis Miley (thigh) and Emil Krafth (knee) dey sidelined. Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Nick Woltemade fit start midfield if Ramsey no fit. Woltemade fit also battle Yoane Wissa for attack. Howe fit prefer use Anthony Gordon as centre-forward. Malick Thiaw dey set to return in defence after Champions League ban.
Everton Jack Grealish (foot) and Carlos Alcaraz (unspecified) dey out. Backup goalkeeper Mark Travers dey wrist/hand issue. Jake O’Brien fit return after suspension. Expected Everton back four: O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite/Vitaliy Mykolenko. Midfield: Garner, Gueye, Dewsbury-Hall.
Possible Lineups
Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite; Garner, Gueye; Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
Prediction
Newcastle United 1-1 Everton
Both clubs don win two, draw two, lose two of their last six league meetings. Game fit tight. Newcastle slight favourites for home advantage, but Everton away form strong, so we dey back Toffees to grab a point from St James’ Park.
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