Our last game of February before we enter a mad March, and it’s a big one.
Our midweek win over Qarabag sets up a Champions League clash with Barcelona in the last 16, but this weekend sees us return to Premier League action at St James’ Park for the first time since that dismal 3-2 defeat to Brentford three weeks ago.
As far as our European hopes via the Premier League are concerned, the next few days will be huge. With Everton and Man Utd to come, and us currently four points behind Brentford in seventh and nine points away from Chelsea (5th) and Liverpool (6th), a run of wins in the league feels absolutely essential to close the gap.
We’ve won four of our last five in all competitions and the team have regrouped brilliantly, but with just on win in our last six league games, including four defeats in our last five, our domestic form has to pick up: especially at St James’ Park.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning ahead of the match, Eddie Howe said:
“It is amazing to be back at home. We have to build our rhythm back at St. James’ Park. Tuesday was a result we definitely needed, and we want to get our home form back to its best.”
“I have seen a good response from everybody… there is a really good feeling between the players. The feeling is really high. The most important thing for us now is to look forward.”
“It is a big game for us. Everton have done well on their travels – their away form has been good. David’s teams are always difficult to score against. Our attacking play has to be really good and our defensive mentality has to improve.”
Team news
Jacob Ramsey should return to the squad after a tight hamstring kept him out in midweek, but Lewis Miley is expected to be out for a few more weeks.
Tino Livramento is getting closer, and he’s due back in full training next week, while Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth remain out.
For Everton, they are without Jack Grealish, who looks set to miss the rest of the campaign, but wide man Iliman Ndiaye will be one to watch after causing us problems in this fixture last season.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall – Ramsey, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
OUT: Ramsdale, Botman, A Murphy, J Murphy, Osula.
IN: Pope, Hall, Ramsey, Elanga, Gordon.
Match prediction
This will be a tough test. Everton have only lost one of their last nine away games from home, beating Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Man Utd to nil.
I’m expecting a physical, tight game and the Toffees to sit deep, testing our ability to break down a low block without Bruno. But I think we’ll rally and find a way, knowing a win would take us above Everton and keep our faint top five hopes alive.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Everton
Howay the lads!
Every matchday I always have several happy, reassured hours thinking “Olly says we’re going to win, it’ll be ok”. Reality is suspended for a while.
The Panther(Quote)
Right, they better not lose today, its my 65th birthday and I will stamp my feet and scream if they don’t give me a win.
kimtoon(Quote)
Happy birthday Kimtoon hope you can celebrate BOTH!
nutmag(Quote)
KIM all the best mate,thought you were going to say 21 again lol
icedog(Quote)
this is the second time that that site super sports is reporting that big AL is joining the coaching staff,where do they get this ***** from???
icedog(Quote)
I wish mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Nutmag me too and thanks.
kimtoon(Quote)
Happy birthday Kim! Are you a 28th or a 29th? I have a friend (who, sadly, is an Everton fan), and his birthday is also today but actually he was born on 29th but obviously can only celebrate today. I hope the Toon give you a fantastic birthday present today. All the best!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ffs. That’s been coming. We’ve been awful.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Get innnnn. Ramsey
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh dear god Pope! Horrendous
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Pope wouldn’t get a game for the Heed ffs
Icedog(Quote)
Don’t think that will make KIM happy
Icedog(Quote)
What a F’king horrendous first half. We are shocking. Pope?? WTF? We need to wake up. Hall, Tonali and Ramsey have been decent and Gordon was better when moved to the left but our corners have been sh…ite!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brentford winning comfortably, so the gap to Europe is getting wider. If we lose this, we will have a real hill to climb. 🤬🤬🤬
I hope Eddie has banged some heads together
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly Corners or any set piece we are ‘always’ rubbish and we have a set piece coach!!
nutmag(Quote)
We cannot play without Bruno look like
NUTMEG he needs the bloody sack mate
Icedog(Quote)
Family just left, have been listening on radio, sounds grim.
kimtoon(Quote)
If Brighton and Palace both get results we will drop to 14th
kimtoon(Quote)
Thanks Gilly and it is the 28th
kimtoon(Quote)
Getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Murph the magic man
kimtoon(Quote)
Get in…. Finally
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Now don’t blow it again
kimtoon(Quote)
omfg
idiots
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh my f’king god! Can you believe it. Dreadful
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So so pi ssed off with this lot
kimtoon(Quote)
We just switch off
kimtoon(Quote)
C’mon 6 mins to get level
kimtoon(Quote)
That was horrific. Where was the energy and drive in the first half? Joelinton, Willock, Waltemade, Wissa, all poor.
European football is gone. We haven’t turned lost 3 home games in a row in the league for the first time in 5 years!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Dog 💩 back to how we were against Brentford and before.
I’m sure he’ll say the players are fatigued but he had a chance to rest a few in the CL and opted against it 🤷🏼♂️.
Defo Europe over for us which is not what our owners are expecting – especially when the CL has made us around £55m so far this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looks like we have all our eggs temporarily in the FA cup and Champions league baskets.
We have no defensive heart or mental strength, Pope is pure pants.
They didn’t have to be anywhere near good to beat us today, they were just reasonably solid.
All the best Kimtoon, have a few stiff drinks, on second thoughts a lot of stiff drinks.
Joseph(Quote)