Newcastle United will hope to bounce back after their last defeat when they take on Everton at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The Magpies were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United, but the injury to Sean Longstaff will hurt more than anything else as the academy star was doing incredibly well.
Rafa Benitez’s side are six points clear of the relegation zone and are nine points off the 40-point mark which is often enough to save teams from relegation.
Newcastle don’t have the best head to head record against Everton, though, as they have failed to win any of their last six games between the two sides and have lost five times.
The manager doesn’t like losing to Everton, considering he managed their rivals Liverpool not so long ago, and with home support, Newcastle should test the Toffees.
Longstaff is unavailable, and his chemistry with Isaac Hayden in midfield will be a blow. Benitez will also be without Rob Elliot and Ciaran Clark at the back.
Defence
We don’t expect Benitez to make any changes to the defence that has done reasonably well of late. The trio of Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, and Florian Lejeune have forged a good partnership and might start in a three-man defence once again.
Matt Ritchie and DeAndre Yedlin are the preferred option as wing-backs, and Paul Dummett might have to be happy with a role on the bench once again despite being fit as Ritchie has done really well on the left.
Dubravka should keep his place in goal.
Midfield
In Longstaff’s absence, we expect Mo Diame to line up alongside Hayden in midfield.
Ayoze Perez and January signing Miguel Almiron should complete the midfield, though the two will start on the wide areas and drift inside at times.
Almiron has gone close to scoring for Newcastle and has hit the woodwork. The fans will hope the Paraguayan finally breaks the goalscoring duck come the weekend.
Attack
Salomon Rondon should lead the line, and the Venezuelan’s physical approach will test the Everton defence that hasn’t been the most reliable this season.
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