Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to build on his winning start as Everton manager when his side travel to Newcastle United on Saturday. The Toffee are now four points clear of the bottom three and just three behind the Magpies.
Newcastle have won three of their last five league games, but a 4-1 defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day has halted their climb up the Premier League table.
Following impressive victories over Sheffield United, Southampton and Crystal Palace, Steve Bruce’s men were brought back down to earth last time out.
Matty Longstaff scored his second goal in as many games against Man Utd, but the Red Devils’ forward line retaliated with devastating effect.
Newcastle only managed to record 25% of the possession at Old Trafford, and Bruce will no doubt be disappointed with the way his team gifted Man Utd goal scoring opportunities.
On the other side of the coin, Everton completely dominated Burnley in their previous game. The Toffees created an abundance of chances, but it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin's diving header on 80 minutes that handed Ancelotti his first three points as Everton boss.
That victory over Burnley extended Everton’s unbeaten league run to four games. Following Marco Silva’s sacking, Everton beat Chelsea, before drawing with Man Utd and Arsenal.
Ancelotti will know there is plenty of work to be done at Goodison Park, but Everton showed plenty of promise during the Italian’s first game in charge.
Still, the Toffees have been woeful away from home this season. Just five of their 22 points have come on the road, and this doesn’t bode well for a trip to Newcastle.
In contrast, the Magpies have been extremely solid at St. James’ Park this term, losing just one of their nine home games in the Premier League.
Newcastle have also conceded the fewest home goals of any team in the English top-flight in 2019/20.
Exciting winger Allan Saint-Maximin remains an injury doubt, but Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles are both close to making a return for Newcastle.
Morgan Schneiderlin could well come in for Everton, but Alex Iwobi and Andre Gomes remain long-term absentees.
Newcastle beat Everton 3-2 in the last meeting between the two teams, but that was the Toffees’ first defeat in this fixture since 2014.
However, given Newcastle’s impressive home record this season, Everton are likely to find it extremely hard to break down the Magpies this time around.
Forebet predicts that Newcastle will edge past Everton to sneak a narrow victory.