Newcastle United go from facing a top four rival in Tottenham Hotspur to taking on a relegation threatened side in Everton – but Chris Sutton is expecting the same outcome.
While he is not anticipating Newcastle to absolutely batter Everton and be 5-0 up within 21 minutes, he is expecting the Magpies to come out on top at Goodison Park.
That is a contract to what Paul Merson believes. He has predicted a 1-1 draw for Thursday night’s game, citing that the Toffees are difficult to beat despite losing 50% of their games this season.
It will be a tough match, but it feels odd that Merson believes Eddie Howe’s team will suffer a setback just days after annihilating their nearest rivals for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Sutton thinks differently, and is anticipating a comfortable night on Merseyside for the Magpies.
Chris Sutton thinks Newcastle will beat Everton
As part of his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton has tipped Newcastle to win 2-0 on the road.
“Everton reminded me of Sean Dyche’s old Burnley side when I watched them against Crystal Palace at the weekend,” he wrote.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin came into the team and they were very direct, with balls into him and then trying to find runners off that.
“They were also hoping for Alex Iwobi and Demarai Grey to spark something with some individual brilliance but it didn’t really happen, and you could really see why the Toffees are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season.
“This is the last game they need after dropping into the bottom three. Everton don’t carry enough of a threat and then you are left asking whether they can keep an in-form Newcastle side out.
“I don’t think they can, and being at home won’t make any difference, because the Magpies will frighten the life out of them.”
Scary Magpies have momentum
This was a tricky fixture last season, with Everton coming out on top thanks to a last minute winner from Alex Iwobi. Goodison Park was pretty thunderous that night, but Sutton does not expect the home crowd to make any difference this time out.
The former Chelsea and Celtic striker is anticipating a wave of momentum to carry Newcastle to victory, and hopefully that is the case. Howe’s side should be bursting with confidence when they kickoff against Everton, having completely blown Tottenham away at the weekend.
The only concern is that Newcastle are over confident, and expect to win against a relegation-threatened team after hammering a top four rival.
Howe must ensure that complacency does not creep in. Despite Sunday’s result, Champions League football is still not guaranteed. We must keep winning, and have a great opportunity to do just that up against a fragile opposition in Everton.
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