Eddie Howe turns 48 on Saturday, and I suspect the one birthday gift he’ll be asking for is three points on Merseyside.
Aside from our 4-0 win at Union SG two months ago, Newcastle United haven’t won any of their other 13 away games across all competitions and pre-season friendlies since April, with our last Premier League victory on the road coming at Leicester over six months ago.
That has to change soon. Not just because we allowed another away game to slip away thanks to Tuesday’s second-half collapse in Marseille, but because we’re 14th in the league and have Sunderland away in our next Premier League away day after Everton.
We must turn the corner soon, but with missing ingredients Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall now fit, signs of improvement in the first 45 at Marseille and a big win over Man City in our last league game, hopefully Saturday night can be a turning point.
Speaking ahead of our first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Howe said:
“The challenge for us is to try and find the levels of consistency that we know we are capable of. We are trying to navigate this period, keeping things fresh for the players.
“The games bring different challenges. Fatigue is a big one and not necessarily physical but mental fatigue. The challenge for us to try and find the levels of consistency that we know we are capable of.
“We are trying to navigate this period, keep things fresh and different for the players. Looking forward to all the games, the players have responded well in training.”
Team news
Kieran Trippier (hamstring) has been ruled out for a ‘around a month’, Sven Botman (back) is ‘nursing a back problem’ and Emil Krafth (knee) is also set to miss out.
Yoane Wissa (knee) trained on Wednesday and is finally edging closer, with Will Osula (ankle) expected to sit this one out again after seeing a specialist earlier this week.
Dan Burn is back from a ban after missing our win over Man City, while Lewis Hall, Joelinton and Nick Woltemade should all be fresh after they were rotated in midweek.
For Everton, holding midfielder Idrissa Gueye is suspended after his red card at Man Utd on Monday, with Seamus Coleman and Jarrad Branthwaite also set to be asbent.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes.
What I want to see is Ramsdale given a chance in goal and Schar alongside Thiaw once again after the pair did superbly against Erling Haaland last Saturday. However, what I think Howe will opt for is slightly different.
The boss has backed Pope since his costly mistake in Marseille and revealed his reluctance to rotate goalkeepers too much, while Burn’s leadership and aerial ability may be something he’ll opt for against a big Everton side who pose a threat from set pieces.
Elsewhere, I fully expect to see Hall come back in at left-back, Joelinton in midfield and Woltemade up front, with Barnes also a no-brainer on the left wing when you compare his recent form (four goals in three) to Gordon’s (no goal or assist in the league since January).
Match prediction
While this isn’t quite literally a ‘must-win’, it feels vital that we end our wait for a Premier League away win this weekend when you factor in our desperate need for momentum, points and confidence two weeks away from the derby.
Everton don’t score many but are tight at the back and are rarely involved in high-scoring games, so the first goal here feels absolutely vital.
I expect us to put up a response to the Marseille collapse and dismal defeats at Brentford and West Ham, think we’ll be far better for Tino and Hall back in the side, but have a feeling this may be a low-scoring draw.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
Unfortunately your probably right Olly,
Howe will probably stick with Pope and Burn, and it wouldn’t even surprise me if he picked Gordon through the middle again and really C..K it up!
Joseph(Quote)
Big Nick will absolutely play up front. Burn is an excellent (England international) centre half. He isn’t a left back, we know that but he won’t be playing there
Sorry but some ‘fans’ on here and other sites need to take a look at themselves ‘re the stick Eddie is getting. It’s Bruce level and it’s appalling. What he has done for this club is incredible. He isn’t perfect but nobody is
Be very very careful what you wish for if you succeed in pushing him out
East Stand(Quote)
I would avoid playing Gordon today. He’s not playing well anyway at the moment but I think he’d struggle with the crowd on his back.
Have him on the bench ready if needed but start Barnes for me.
I’d play Hall & Tino FBs and give Thiaw & Botman a rest with Burn & Schar CB.
Tough game but Howe needs this win to get back from the howler in Marseille imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Very very nervous about this one. Pipe not even on the bench, so let’s see what Ramsdale can do. No Tonali either, but he’s on the bench. Miley starts, as does Elanga and Gordon on the bench. Elanga owes a performance today.
Let’s see.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Burn in at centre back too, with Thiaw. A good defensive line with both Tino and Hall back starting.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Goaaaaaallllllll Thiaw gets his first
Gilly Toon(Quote)
*** Get in
kimtoon(Quote)
You know I actually hate early goals = false sense of security
kimtoon(Quote)
Lewissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
kimtoon(Quote)
Get innnnnnnn Miley!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Nickyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
kimtoon(Quote)
Get innnnnnnn big Nick!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What a finish
kimtoon(Quote)
Hopefully we don’t drop back in the second half because Everton do have the ability to punish you given half a chance.
They will be better second half I would think, we need to keep our wits about us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, that was a great and unexpected first half! Three great goals.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Just you and me again Kim!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Absolutely agree Kim. I’d like us to really go for it.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
First goal for Thiaw. First Assist for Elanga. Goal and an assist for Miley on his first premier league start this season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Miley motm so far
kimtoon(Quote)
Absolutely Kim! But Burn close behind.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
GetinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnThaiw
kimtoon(Quote)
Thiawwwwwwwwww 4
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Thiaw
kimtoon(Quote)
I like this😀
It’s Eddie Howes birthday today too
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s handball
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t think this will stand
kimtoon(Quote)
Tough luck
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t make too many changes Eddie we are in control here
kimtoon(Quote)
Sloppy very sloppy
Was hoping we’d get a decent goal difference.
kimtoon(Quote)
Hope these subs don’t back fire on us, we were looking ok
kimtoon(Quote)
Job done
Happy Birthday Eddie 🎈🍰
kimtoon(Quote)
Fantastic away win. Finally we win away and quite convincingly. Pity about conceding but 4-1 is excellent. What a difference having a well balanced team with proper full backs. Miley and Thiaw and Burn outstanding today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)