Newcastle vs Everton Predictions

• Fewer than three goals have been scored the last three times Everton have played at St James’ Park
• Fewer than three goals have been scored in six of Everton’s last eight games (90min)
• The away team has lost only one of the last six meetings of these clubs

Newcastle’s midfield in a muddle

Newcastle and Everton go into Saturday’s Premier League match separated by a point and with similar ambitions for European football next season. The Magpies are still very much hopeful of further progress in the Champions League this season too and should be lifted by their two recent wins over Qarabag.

Eddie Howe’s side lost 2-1 to Manchester City between those games and it was pretty good performance in defeat all things considered. But they really need to pick up all three points if they are to challenge the top six again after a run of four defeats and one win in their last five league games.

One look at the Newcastle team on Tuesday night would tell you they are in a bit of a muddle. Nick Woltemade started in midfield again and, although his performance was fine, he is no Bruno Guimaraes.

Guimaraes and Grealish are big misses

The Brazilian’s drive and leadership is badly missed by a team that has won 10 of 23 league games he played in and none of the four that he didn’t. He looks set to miss a couple of months with the hamstring injury, so Howe will have to find a solution soon.

Joelinton is back to fitness and looks set to start alongside Sandro Tonali in the engine room, which will be a key battleground against Everton’s tireless Idrissa Gana Gueye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The Toffees are not short of physicality in that area, but the loss of Jack Grealish to a season-ending injury has left them short on craft in the final third.

Moyes knows he must keep it tight

Everton’s attacking numbers this season are more akin to a team in a relegation fight. They tend to lose high-scoring games, such as the 4-2 home defeat against Brentford and the 4-1 loss they suffered when the Magpies travelled to Merseyside.

David Moyes knows that they need to keep things tight and try to nick a goal without committing too many bodies forward. However, his plan to outmuscle Manchester United at set-pieces did not work on Monday in a dreadful 1-0 defeat.

They cannot blame the new stadium for their poor performances and this trip to St James’ Park will be a tough one to navigate. Fewer than three goals have been scored in six of their last eight games in all competitions and that looks like a trend that may continue.