Everton v Newcastle United - Preview

After a dismal display against West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Newcastle face a tough trip to Goodison Park to face Marco Silva’s Everton.

Everton themselves will be reeling after their last minute defeat against rivals Liverpool on Sunday. Jordan Pickford’s howler led to Divock Origi’s winner. Newcastle will want to bounce back quickly from their lackluster display against West Ham. This is an intriguing game with both teams having a point to prove.

Rafael Benitez opted to start with Javier Manquillo at left back against the Hammers, it didn’t work asthe former Liverpool player struggled at times. Ciaran Clark, who was dropped for Manquillo, would have felt hard done by after his performance against Burnley. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Ireland international regains his place against Everton.

Matt Ritchie picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning Rafael Benitez will be without the Scotland international for the trip to Goodison. Paul Dummett will be assessed following the injury he picked up while away on international duty with Wales. Benitez will not want to risk Dummett, who has been a stalwart for the Magpies. Benitez is likely to give Dummett more time to recover, with the Wolves game looking a more likely comeback.

Everton will be without midfielder James McCarthy until the New Year, but apart from that Marco Silva has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Time is running out for Ayoze Perez to make an impression on the starting eleven as he was cheered off the pitch against West Ham. The only thing keeping Perez in the team is the lack of depth Newcastle have at the moment. Benitez may think about putting Kenedy in the number 10 position, giving the Brazilian more of a free role. If Perez continues to struggle, Benitez will be thinking about making a change.

Possible Everton XI: Pickford; Keane, Digne, Mina, Coleman; Gomez, Sigurdsson, Gueye, Bernard, Walcott; Richarlison.

Possible Newcastle United XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Kenedy; Diame, Ki, Shelvey; Perez; Rondon

Newcastle need to get back on track fast. The Magpies have done well to drag themselves away from the relegation zone. However, after the defeat to West Ham, Newcastle remain just three points above the bottom three.