Newcastle United have won 16 Premier League games so far this season, and will look to make it 17 when they face Everton on Thursday night.
However, to do that Newcastle will need to do something they have failed to do all season.
Whether they have been playing at home or away, Eddie Howe‘s side have performed brilliantly. That is why we are on course to qualify for the Champions League, despite battling relegation last season.
But one thing has alluded the Magpies throughout the campaign – a competitive win in the ‘Saudi kit’.
Newcastle to wear ‘Saudi kit’ against Everton on Thursday night
The Premier League have confirmed which kits teams will be wearing during this round of fixtures, and it is bad news for the superstitious Newcastle fans.
Unsurprisingly, Everton will be wearing their blue home kit. But for Newcastle, it will not be black and white. That is a surprise, as they were able to wear their home shirt in this fixture last season.
However, this time the Magpies will be wearing their third kit – the white and green strip that massively resembles the Saudi Arabia national kit.
While the kit made headlines for the wrong reasons, it has actually turned out to be a bad omen for Newcastle. Howe’s side have played five competitive games in it this season, and failed to win on each occasion.
It’s debut came in a 1-1 draw with Wolves, where Allan Saint-Maximin scored a screamer. That was followed up by a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The worst day in the alternative kit came in January, when we were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. We have played in it twice more since then, drawing 0-0 with Crystal Palace then 1-1 with Bournemouth.
Five games, four draws and one defeat. It is fair to say that the shirt that garnered so much controversy has not been a lucky charm for the Magpies.
Hopefully that changes on Thursday night, as Newcastle look to secure their first competitive win wearing their infamous ‘Saudi kit’.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
