Next up for Everton in the Premier League is a Monday night match against a resurgent Newcastle United. So we take a closer look at the Magpies and how the Blues can beat them.
Newcastle have had a difficult season this term (when don’t they!) and there has been the usual off-field distractions with ongoing uncertainty over the club’s ownership and the future of manager Rafael Benetiz. So can Everton take advantage of their troubles?
They are frankly a very ordinary side but despite the problems they’ve had Newcastle’s form has actually improved recently. They’ve secured some notable and important victories most recently last weekend when they beat Arsenal 2-1.
In fact they have won the last four league games including beating two of their relegation rivals. They’re feeling confident and will be looking to take all three points at Goodison Park.
Everton of course are coming off the back of another underwhelming away performance this time at Swansea.
The Blues were very fortunate to get a point in that game and following the hugely disappointing derby draw the previous week it marked another two dropped points.
At home this season Everton have been much better than away so you would expect the Toffees to be favourites in this game. But the Magpies are just a point behind Everton and this game is important for both sides in terms of who will finish the season higher.
Newcastle have struggled to score goals as indeed do most of the league’s weaker sides, including the Blues of course. But they do make quite a lot of attempts at goal 11.7 and are quite a direct side.
United are an effective team counter attacking team but they have trouble holding onto a lead, something Everton can exploit given that the Blues are good at recovering from losing positions.
Although they have been quite an offensive team Newcastle are not good at converting chances into goals. Again this is a common trait amongst teams who are struggling.
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Amongst their better players Jonjo Shelvey is an important player although he’s not delivered that many assists, just two in fact. The leading player in that regard is Matt Ritchie.
Shelvey can also be easily provoked into a silly foul and without wanting to sound cynical Everton might be able to exploit his quick temper. He has been dismissed twice already this season so that’s a weakness.
In fact discipline is a bit of an issue generally for Newcastle this season. They have occasionally been guilty of over-commitment in their tackling and they’ve racked up quite a few cards.
Finally Newcastle have lacked width generally this season but the arrival of Kenedy from Chelsea in January has given them additional attacking threat, which Everton should be mindful of.
However the Blues can exploit Newcastle’s weaknesses’ and particularly their vulnerability out wide. Although this will mean that Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie, if they play, need to be at their best.
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Overall then this is a game the Toffees should be able to win but given the Blues desperately inconsistent form it’s likely this will be another difficult match for Evertonians to watch.