Newcastle v Everton - Premier League match preview

Newcastle v Everton Only Newcastle can score a combined total of six goals at Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium and come away with no points.

After months of looking limp in attack and struggling to create chances, suddenly we look capable of scoring against any side and at any ground and we've played some decent football to boot.

Unfortunately decent football doesn't guarantee three points (although in the eyes of some fans it does!) and it's been the simple things that have ultimately cost us. Defensively we've been poor, there is no other way to describe shipping 11 goals in two games, and all of our back five - from Coloccini to Krul - have to take some portion of the blame for that. Improvement is needed, but will we improve enough to beat an Everton team who have been on fire (not literally) all season tomorrow evening at St James' Park?

Newcastle:

Mathieu Debuchy is expected to complete a move to Newcastle in the next week or so, which is no good for this game as we need somebody to fill in for Danny Simpson who broke a toe against Arsenal but I thought I'd let you know...

Also missing are Hatem Ben Arfa, Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling, Jonas Gutierrez Haris Vuckic, Steven Taylor and Yohan Cabaye although the latter two of that list are back in training and could return for our next Premier League game at Norwich in just under a fortnight. Vurnon Anita could also be available for selection after sitting out the defeat at Arsenal.

Everton:

Marouane Fellaini will return to the side after serving a three-match suspension and Phil Neville could also return to action. However David Moyes will be without Darron Gibson, Kevin Mirallas, Tony Hibbert and Seamus Coleman for the trip to Tyneside.

Previously:

Earlier on in the season we somehow managed to draw 2-2 at Goodison Park, thanks to two goals from Demba Ba who came off the bench to drag his side level before causing a stir with his post-match comments.

Overall results have been split equally between the two sides. In total there has been 163 meetings in all competitions between United and Everton over the years with each side winning on 64 occasions. The remaining 35 games have ended in draws.

Stats and facts:

Newcastle became the first side in Premier League history to lose back-to-back matches in which they've scored three goals in. A dubious honour indeed...

Demba Ba has scored more goals away from home than at home (19 v 17) during his time so far in England.

The home side has lost this fixture just twice in the last 20 meetings between the teams.

Everton have conceded in their last 15 Premier League games.

Final thought:

A win for Newcastle needs to be looked for if we are to start building a bit of a cushion between ourselves and those below us. It's not going to be an easy game and you know what Everton will give when they come to your ground so get three points you need to deserve them by putting the effort in.

We can get a result, it is possible, but we'll need to be at our best to do it.

Howay the lads!

Date: Wednesday, 2nd January, 2013

Time: 8pm - Live on Sky

Venue: St James' Park