Everton will be looking to keep pace with the European chasers when Newcastle United visit Goodison Park in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.
The Toffees currently sit seventh in the table – two points shy of the top four. At the other end of the standings, Newcastle are sixteenth – six points clear of the relegation zone.
𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 angle of @jamesdrodriguez's goal against @LCFC! 💥That sound 🔊😍 pic.twitter.com/KcIGz4zO2j— Everton (@Everton) January 28, 2021
𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 angle of @jamesdrodriguez's goal against @LCFC! 💥That sound 🔊😍 pic.twitter.com/KcIGz4zO2j
Everton head into this clash on a four-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, with three wins and one draw coming in that time.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men saw off Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, either side of beating Wolves 2-1 in the Premier League.
Last time out, Everton were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester City, with a Jordan Pickford blunder handing the Foxes a point.
Everton are the lowest scorers in top eight. However, only four teams have conceded fewer goals than Ancelotti’s side this season.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are enduring an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions, losing nine times during that period.
Five straight defeats in the Premier League have seen Steve Bruce’s men fall dangerously close to the bottom three.
Not only do the Magpies have one of the poorest defensive record in the division, but they are also the fifth-lowest scorers.
Despite recording 22 shots against Leeds last time out, Newcastle only managed to notch up five attempts on target.
Miguel Almiron cancelled out Raphina’s early strike, but Jack Harrison scored the winner for Leeds soon after.
Head-to-head: Newcastle claimed a 2-1 victory over Everton in the reverse fixture back in November, with Callum Wilson bagging a brace.
In fact, Everton have only won one of their previous five meetings with Newcastle, picking up two draws along the way.
Team news: Abdoulaye Doucoure could return to Everton’s starting line-up after serving a suspension. However, fellow midfielders Allan and Fabian Delph are injured.
DeAndre Yedlin, Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett are all currently injured for Newcastle, while Ciaran Clark is a doubt.
Having lost just one of their last eight Premier League games, Everton will be confident off seeing off an out-of-sorts Newcastle side on Saturday.
Forebet predicts that Everton will score over 2.5 goals and keep a clean sheet on their way to victory at Goodison Park.