Everton (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

Well, a lot has changed since our last match preview!

We’ve beaten Leeds – securing our first away win of the season – had a warm weather training camp in Saudi Arabia, signed two Premier League proven players, a £40m Brazilian, axed three players from our 25-man squad and look all set to appoint Dan Ashworth as our new director of football.

Things are finally looking up on the pitch, although this feel-good factor will only be maintained should we produce the goods in what promises to be another humungous game at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.

An out of sorts Everton side come to town with Frank Lampard in charge and a few new signings under their belts, with reported Toon targets Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli both arriving on deadline day.

This has given them a lift, as did their FA Cup win over Brentford at the weekend, however we also have momentum on our side going into a game that could leave us just ONE point behind the Toffees with a win.

It’s the first of two huge games at St James’ Park this week, a chance to make it back-to-back wins, an opportunity to drag Everton into a relegation battle and see our January signings on display at St James’ Park.

Let’s hope we can step up and deliver!

Team news

Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett could both make their NUFC debuts, while Dan Burn could join them in doing so if he overcomes a toe injury.

Joelinton has overcome a groin injury that saw him limp off at Leeds, however Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez and Callum Wilson have been ruled out, with the latter now expected back for the ‘last few games of the season’ at best.

As for Everton, midfield dynamo Abdoulaye Doucoure and defender Ben Godfrey have been ruled out, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to return after training over the past few days.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Dubravka – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Targett – Shelvey, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.

Martin Dubravka – Earned his first clean sheet on the road at Leeds in what was an assured display by the Slovakian.

Kieran Trippier – Showed his class in that 2nd half at Leeds and is one of the first names on the team sheet. Let’s hope he keeps Demarai Gray quiet.

Jamaal Lascelles – Appears to be fine despite holding his hamstring at Leeds. Many believe he should be dropped but I can’t see Howe leaving out the captain!

Fabian Schar – Dan Burn could take his place in the side before long, but with him nursing a toe injury and Schar our MOTM at Elland Road, I think the Swiss international keeps his place here.

Matt Targett – With Dummett injured and Lewis axed from the 25-man squad, the Aston Villa loanee could slot straight in. Saying that, Javier Manquillo has given Howe something to think about after some assured displays at LB.

Jonjo Shelvey – Put in a disciplined display at Leeds and grabbed the all important winner. Howe seems to be a big fan, so he seems likely to keep his place above Willock (who was much improved at Leeds but may miss out here).

Bruno Guimaraes – Howe suggested he may need time to adjust to PL football, but he looked a million dollars for Brazil last week and has to start if fit.

 Joelinton – Limped off at Leeds but is fit and ready to play. Hopefully the big man can put in another dominating display in this deeper midfield role.

Ryan Fraser – Ran himself into the ground last time out and is improving each week under Howe. Now he just needs to add goals and assists to his game…

Chris Wood – He was a handful at Leeds and won no end of flick-ons. Hopefully he can go one step further in this one and bag his first goal in black and white!

Allan Saint-Maximin – Could have real joy against an ageing Seamus Coleman. Let’s hope we see more Maxi magic, with him needing to step up in Wilson’s prolonged absence.

Predicted Everton XI (4-4-1-1): Pickford – Coleman, Mina, Keane, Mykolenko – Gordon, Allan, Gomes, Gray – Richarlison – Calvert-Lewin.

Match prediction

I was more confident prior to Everton appointing Lampard and winning convincingly in the FA Cup to ease tensions on Merseyside, but still back us to get the job done in this one.

Doucoure will be a huge miss for them in the middle of the park and I’m backing Bruno to dazzle on his debut, with Targett and Trippier to also offer that balance we’ve so often lacked at the back.

Wood to get off the mark and our new boys to impress in a home win on Tyneside!

Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Everton

HOWAY THE LADS!