Prediction: Everton vs Newcastle

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 10/3

Bookmaker: bet365

It’s time for some rare midweek action in the Premier League as teams up and down the country attempt to give themselves a big boost ahead of the FA Cup returning this weekend. Today we’re going to be looking at a clash between two of English football’s biggest clubs: Everton and Newcastle United. They may not quite be where they want to be in the top flight right now, but they both seem to be taking steps towards reliving their former glories.

Everton

Getting Everton back to a stable position is going to take more than just a few weeks, and Carlo Ancelotti knows that better than anyone. They’ve got a few stars within their ranks that could easily be taken off their hands by bigger clubs, so building on what they’ve got in the next few transfer windows is going to be key. They may not be the favourites to down, either, but keeping an eye on that is going to be absolutely vital.

Team News

Gomes and Gbamin are officially out of action with Iwobi, Richarlison, Keane and Sigurdsson being doubts. Sidibe and Schneiderlin are expected to feature in the starting XI, or at the very least, off of the bench.

Newcastle

Newcastle’s inconsistency means that a push for the top half seems a little bit more unlikely that it probably should be, but at the same time, their results over bigger teams this season should be cause for optimism. Steve Bruce wasn’t the man they wanted in charge at the start of the campaign but he’s the man they’ve got, and they need to get behind him 100%. Of course, it’ll all be for nothing if they can’t continue to invest in the transfer window.

Team News

Willems, Manquillo, Colback, Dummett, Gayle, Yedlin, Muto and Sung-Yueng make up the lengthy injury list. Atsu and Schar are both pushing for places in the starting line-up, with one of their other big doubts being Andy Carroll as he continues to try and find his goalscoring feet.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting in late December, Everton beat Newcastle 2-1.
• Everton have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Newcastle have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games.
• Everton have scored six goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Newcastle have scored eight goals and conceded eight in their last six games.

Conclusion

Newcastle will try and pump the ball forward, get physical with Everton and generally wear them down into submission – whereas Everton will try and implement their new style under the tutelage of Ancelotti. We think these two teams are going to cancel one another out, leading to the points being shared in the form of a draw. In the end, though, that isn’t going to be the worst result for two clubs who seem to be drifting slowly but surely away from the relegation battle.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 10/3

Bookmaker: bet365