Everton vs Newcastle United
Date: 05/12/2018
K/O: 19:45
Venue: Goodison Park
Referee: Lee Mason
On Wednesday evening Newcastle United travel to Everton as both sides attempt to overcome crushing weekend defeats and return to winning ways.
Jordan Pickford’s calamitous late error cost the Toffees dear in the Merseyside derby; however, Marco Silva’s side remain in sixth place, above Manchester United on goal difference. The Red Devils face Arsenal on Wednesday, so a home victory for Everton presents an opportunity to give themselves breathing room between their rivals in the battle for European football.
Anything other than three points could spell trouble for the hosts, Leicester City, Bournemouth and Watford are narrowly behind, and dependent on their results could all overtake Everton, especially if they record consecutive defeats.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will be looking over their shoulder once more after being humbled by West Ham on Saturday. They will need to make good use of their extra day’s rest as receiving another heavy defeat could be incredibly costly for team morale and their league position.
Returning to Tyneside with a point can be considered a respectable result. However, a win would go a long way to remaining the right side of the precarious lower table positions, keeping danger at arm’s length.
Despite the unfortunate result on Sunday, Everton were at times more impressive than their city rivals; Andre Gomes exercised a firm grip over the midfield allowing Bernard and Ademola Lookman to shine out wide. If the Portuguese playmaker replicates his outstanding performance against Newcastle, the away side will struggle to retain a significant share of possession.
Everton’s long-term ambition of reaching the Champions League already appears a stretch too far for this season, although the slightly less prestigious Europa League is still within reach and worth fighting for. They may sit eight points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, but this season’s relative consistency under Silva’s tutelage can be considered progress after a turbulent previous campaign.
Nevertheless, just as Newcastle appeared to be restoring consistency after a torrid start to the season, West Ham exposed their defensive frailties and lack of a ruthless edge in attack. In spite of the Magpies keeping possession efficiently, little was done to manipulate the ball into dangerous opposing areas. When the chances did come, Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon were unable to challenge Lukas Fabianski remotely. This must change, primarily as like the Hammers, Everton favour fast wide transitions, which overwhelmingly exposed Newcastle defensively.
Rafa Benitez can be commended for attempting to make the Magpies more of a threat going forwards by bringing Perez and Kenedy closer to Rondon. However, neither appeared comfortable cutting inside or using their weak foot at the weekend, so perhaps Benitez will tweak the system to have the pair starting on their stronger sides initially but remaining closer to the striker.
Predicted Starting XIs
Everton (4-2-3-1)
Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Gueye, Andre Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Richarlison.
Newcastle (4-4-2)
Dubravka; Schar, Fernandez, Lascelles; Yedlin, Diame, Ki, Ritchie; Kenedy, Perez; Rondon.
Prediction: Everton 2 Newcastle United 0
Despite both sides experiencing the heartbreak of defeat recently, this will give them all the more motivation to return to winning ways and restore previous displays. Goodison Park has been a fortress so far this season; based on home form alone Everton would be fifth in the Premier League table, but 15th if it was only away form that mattered. Expect a continuation of their impressive home displays.
