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

If you're anything like me, you will have spent the Easter weekend watching and rewatching the highlights of the West Ham game over and over again to the point that John Anderson's jubilant shouts of "ohhhhh yes!" have become the sound of your own inner monologue.

It was certainly our season in a nutshell, injuries, disappointment, rage, hope, elation and astonishment. It felt huge. Season defining almost. And it kick started our run in 'mini-season' in the most perfect way confidence-wise.

Now we welcome Everton who have not won in the Premier League since their victory over Chelsea on 10 December. It's not just on the pitch where the Toffees have problems either.

Recent financial accounts show Everton making a loss of over £80m last season, a larger loss than the season before. Having already been docked six points for breaching financial rules this season, the blue half of Merseyside look to be in deep trouble.

But Howe has been realistic about the challenges facing Newcastle ahead of the run in, saying it may be better long term to have Anthony Gordon miss this game through suspension. He also was vocal on the issues Everton could cause.

"Having two home games is really important, but we won’t underestimate the challenge that is in front of us," Howe said. "It will be a really difficult game. Whenever you play one of Sean Dyche’s teams it is always a very tough game."

Team news

Kieran Trippier may return to the line-up after missing the last few games through injury, but Howe has urged caution on rushing the England fullback back into the team saying that he needs to be "careful" with how many minutes he plays.

A seemingly never-ending list of players pulled up injured in the West Ham game and it remains to be seen whether they will make the squad on Tuesday night. Jamaal Lascelles will be out for up to nine months with after rupturing his ACL.

Tino Livramento picked up an ankle injury and Miggy Almiron pulled up with a muscle problem. It could mean a start for Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes who both impressed against the Hammers.

Anthony Gordon can't play against his former club after seeing red at the weekend. He is serving a one-match suspension. Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Joelinton and Callum Wilson miss out through injury. Sandro Tonali remains banned.

For the Toffees, Arnaut Danjuma and Lewis Dobbin are doubts through injury and Vitalii Mykolenko could return from illness.

Predicted line-up: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Bruno, Longstaff, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes

In light of there being no definitive answer on Trippier's fitness we could see him returning to the XI. With Livramento's ankle injury, Jacob Murphy is the likely deputy if we need another right back (Emil Krafth was unfancied against West Ham and was subbed off after being subbed on).

There is also an argument to start Anderson instead of Willock, but I think Howe will want to play the strongest team that he can.

Harvey Barnes has earned a start in his own right, but also profits from Gordon's suspension.

Prediction: Newcastle 1 - 0 Everton

It will not be pretty, it will be a game of attrition. We will need to be sturdy between our midfield and defensive lines and not lose our cool in possession. Despite Everton's poor record of late, they have been a dangerous team at times this season and drastically underperform their xG. They will create chances so we will need to match them.

Ultimately, our quality - even if light in numbers - should see us through. But the warnings of what this Everton team can do are all there in our trip to Goodison Park in December.

Come on you Maggies!