Premier League news: Everton vs Newcastle Utd – Five key battles and score prediction
Everton face Newcastle United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening as they look to make it three league wins in a row.
David Moyes’ side are on a huge high following the Toffees’ first win at Old Trafford since 2013.
Everton also have a brilliant recent record against Newcastle – unbeaten in their previous four outings against Eddie Howe’s side.
The Magpies, by contrast, only won two of their last 14 visits to Goodison Park and dropped four points to the Toffees last season.
Everton have moreover won four of seven home matches this term, including against Fulham before the international break.
On the other hand, Howe is yet to rectify his side’s awful away record this season – they have picked up just three points on their travels in the Premier League.
In addition, this game concludes a busy seven days for the northeast outfit, which has witnessed a league victory against Manchester City and a defeat to French side Marseille in the Champions League.
The clubs are separated by just three points in a highly congested league table – a win for Everton would move them towards the European places, while a win for Newcastle would move them above Moyes’ side, so there is a huge incentive for both sides.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jon Shea identifies five key battles and offers a score prediction.
Jake O’Brien vs Harvey Barnes
Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has been in inspired form of late and has fallen into favour on the left-hand side over former Everton winger Anthony Gordon.
Barnes has scored three in his previous two league games, including a brace against Pep Guardiola’s City last weekend.
He also got on the scoresheet in the midweek defeat to Marseille and will be full of confidence and someone Everton needs to watch out for, especially as he previously caused problems for Everton in his Leicester City days.
Jake O’Brien will be the man tasked with trying to contain Barnes this weekend.
O’Brien was probably surprised to make it onto the pitch at Old Trafford on Monday, called upon following an injury to fellow Irishman Seamus Coleman.
To his credit, he was excellent against Manchester United and dealt with all that was thrown at him – and he will need to be in similar form to stop a Barnes stormer.
Thierno Barry vs Malick Thiaw
Thierno Barry is yet to score for Everton, but his last couple of performances have been very encouraging.
He was excellent against Manchester United in difficult circumstances, winning a league high of 14 aerial duels on Monday and showing a different side of his game with some great hold-up play.
He was unlucky not to grab his first Everton goal against Fulham in the last home match, and the Frenchman will be desperate to end that drought.
You can see Moyes is starting to trust Barry up front, which will only heighten his confidence.
Malick Thiaw is the man tasked with dealing with Thierno Barry.
Thiaw is a strong centre-back and has become a mainstay in Eddie Howe’s side, starting the previous 14 matches.
He was particularly impressive against Erling Haaland on Saturday, not giving the Norwegian anything all game, which is some feat.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall vs Bruno Guimarães
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has now written his name into Everton folklore as it was his right-footed curler that secured just their third win at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
He has been in brilliant form for Everton since joining the club, offering an excellent work ethic while being creative and showing an eye for goal.
Moreover, he has spoken about his desire to play for the England national team, and if he keeps up his good form, he may find his way into Thomas Tuchel’s thinking.
Bruno Guimarães continues to be an influential character in the Newcastle side, and with three goals and two assists so far this season, he has continued to be an attacking threat.
The Brazilian remains someone who can take a game by the scruff of the neck, which Everton cannot allow him to do.
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Michael Keane vs Nick Woltemade
The goals have dried up in recent weeks for Nick Woltemade, the German having started his Newcastle career strongly with goals in his first four Premier League matches.
He is now without a goal in eight matches across all competitions.
Everton will have to be aware of his threats, though, because he has shown his qualities in the air and on the ground.
Michael Keane was the man involved in that incident with Idrissa Gueye, which led to the Senegalese international receiving a red card for violent conduct against his own team-mate.
All credit to Keane, who somehow managed to gather his thoughts and defended brilliantly all game.
He is, by all accounts, in the form of his Everton career and has arguably been their best defender this season, and he will be hoping he can stand up to the task against Woltemade.
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Iliman Ndiaye vs Dan Burn
Iliman Ndiaye can cause problems for any defender in the Premier League at the moment.
His trickery and ability have gone to a different level this season, and he has proven to be one of the best wingers in the league.
He had to play a different game at Old Trafford and show his defensive side, and he did that so well along with Jack Grealish.
Moyes will be hoping that there will be more of his attacking play against Newcastle and, in particular, Dan Burn.
Burn is likely to replace Lewis Hall at left-back after missing the match against Manchester City through suspension.
He has shown he is susceptible to players with pace and ability at times, with Dango Outtara taking advantage of Burn when he was sent off against Brentford before the international break, and he will have a big task on his hands nullifying Ndiaye.
Summary
I think Everton will be up for this game and will play with great confidence following the win at Old Trafford.
Newcastle’s away form is a real concern, and with David Moyes’ side being strong at home, I believe the Toffees can grab three points in this one.
Score prediction: Everton 2-0 Newcastle United
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