Everton will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the Premier League on Thursday when they host Newcastle United at Goodison Park.
The Toffees are 17th in the league table, and are staring at relegation if they don’t start winning some of their games in hand on 18th-placed Watford.
Frank Lampard, who has won just one league game during his six weeks in charge of the club, will hope his side pick themselves up following last weekend’s grim 1-0 home loss to Wolves.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, have enjoyed a change in fortunes in recent weeks. They had won their last three Premier League games before being edged out 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Everton vs Newcastle United – Team News
Everton
Everton are still without Yerry Mina, while Jonjoe Kenny is suspended after his dismissal against Wolves. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a major doubt due to illness. Elsewhere, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph are both long-term absentees.
Tonight, tonight… #EVENEW
🆚 @NUFC (H)
🏆 #PL 27/38
⏰ 7.45pm GMT pic.twitter.com/aboJKIVzHy— Everton (@Everton) March 17, 2022
Frank Lampard could revert to a 4-3-3 system in midweek after using 3-4-3 against Wolves last weekend. Jordan Pickford will continue in goal, despite failing to keep a clean sheet in the last four league outings. Michael Keane is expected to be recalled into the Everton lineup to partner Ben Godfrey in central defence, with Seamus Coleman and Vitaly Mykolenko operating as full-backs.
The Everton boss will be keen to bring Allan back into the fold after watching Abdoulaye Doucoure and Donny Van de Beek struggle in a double-pivot against Wolves. The stocky Brazilian will add much-needed balance and solidity to the Everton midfield, while Van de Beek could make way for Andre Gomes.
As Dominic Calvert-Lewin is doubtful, Lampard could go with Richarlison up top again. Anthony Gordon has been the Toffees’ best player in recent weeks and deserves to keep his place on the right flank, with Demarai Gray expected to start on the left.
Newcastle United
Joe Willock has recovered from illness and could be in the squad for the trip to Everton, but Jonjo Shelvey remains doubtful. Joelinton, who has missed the last couple of games, is “touch and go”, as per manager Eddie Howe. Federico Fernandez is training normally and could be part of Thursday’s squad.
Meanwhile, Isaac Hayden, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier are all long-term absentees for Newcastle.
⚫️ 𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗦! ⚪️#EVENEW pic.twitter.com/vGkJlVH5J6
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 17, 2022
Eddie Howe may also change his system from 5-4-1 in the last game to 4-3-3 against Everton. Martin Dubravka is a certainty in the Newcastle goal, with a flat back four of Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Matt Targett starting ahead of the Slovakian shot-stopper.
Joe Willock will walk back straight into the starting XI after recovering from illness, joining the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff in the centre of the pitch. The expected troika of Willock, Longstaff and Guimaraes will be tasked with stopping Everton from playing through the middle.
Upfront, Chris Wood is a sure-shot starter for the Magpies. The Kiwi will be joined by Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin in the attack. Fraser and Saint-Maximin will be responsible for providing creativity, width and flair from wide areas to trouble the Everton backline.
Everton vs Newcastle United – Predicted Lineups
Everton Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford; Seamus Coleman, Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane, Vitaly Mykolenko; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes; Anthony Gordon, Demarai Gray; Richarlison
Newcastle United Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Martin Dubravka; Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Matt Targett; Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes; Ryan Fraser, Chris Wood, Allan Saint-Maximin
Everton vs Newcastle United – Key Players
Everton – Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon has been Everton’s brightest spark under Lampard, causing problems to the opposing defences with his directness, speed and crossing ability. The youngster is a real livewire on the right and will look to pin back Matt Targett as much as possible on Thursday. In such a big game for the Toffees, he could make a real difference.
Newcastle United – Allan Saint-Maximin
Allan Saint-Maximin is expected to start against Frank Lampard’s side on Thursday. The flashy Frenchman can do almost everything for a wide player, and his burst of pace and dribbling skills could be key again for Newcastle during transitions of play. If he is on song, the Everton defenders could be in for a long night.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Newcastle United
