Everton v Newcastle predictions: Magpies can fly closer to safety

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Everton v Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime Video, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Newcastle draw no bet
1pt 6-5 general

Team news

Everton
Jonjo Kenny is suspended, Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Yerry Mina are injured and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (illness) is a doubt.

Newcastle
Kieran Trippier, Isaac Hayden, Callum Wilson, Federico Fernandez and Jamal Lewis remain out and there are doubts over Joelinton (groin) and Jonjo Shelvey (illness). Joe Willock (illness) is available.

Match preview

Everton have been a top-flight club since 1954 but their Premier League status is at serious risk and their troubles could be increased by fast-improving Newcastle, who appear overpriced to defeat them at Goodison Park.

The rearranged fixture takes place 11 weeks after the postponement of the scheduled December 30 clash which was cancelled due to Covid-19 cases in the Magpies' squad.

At that time Newcastle were in all sorts of trouble, having reached the halfway point of the season with only one win in the bank, while Everton were reasonably comfortable with eight points separating them from the drop zone.

Now the roles are reversed with Everton outside of the bottom three on goal difference and Newcastle holding a nine-point cushion.

Newcastle lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Sunday but it was their first league reverse of 2022 and there was nothing about the performance which suggested they were likely to be dragged back into a survival scrap.

Eddie Howe's side were well organised and carried a threat despite the absences of several key players.

They could be stronger against Everton with Allan Saint-Maximin pushing for a start and Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton battling to prove their fitness, and they should certainly be confident as they seek to register a seventh win in nine games.

While Howe's charges have a spring in their step, Everton's players could be edgy and apprehensive as they contemplate a huge game in front of an increasingly concerned home crowd.

Frank Lampard was supposed to get far more out of a squad which looks too strong to be anywhere near the relegation battle, but the rot had set in long before his arrival and he has struggled to turn the tide with six defeats in seven league games, including a 3-1 loss at St James' Park when the Toffees lost the shot count 20-11.

They should be more competitive this time, but Newcastle have won a lot of tight matches in recent weeks and they could get their noses in front on Merseyside.

Key stat

Everton have lost eight of their last nine Premier League matches

Inside info

Everton

Penalty taker Dominic Calvert-Lewin/Richarlison
Free-kick wizard Anthony Gordon
Set-piece aerial threat Michael Keane
Card magnet Abdoulaye Doucoure

Newcastle

Penalty taker Chris Wood
Free-kick wizardRyan Fraser
Set-piece aerial threatChris Wood
Card magnetJavi Manquillo

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