After a week of glamour ties, Newcastle United are preparing for a different kind of challenge against an enraged Everton.
The Magpies head to Merseyside this week after wins against Chelsea and Manchester United and a draw with Paris Saint-Germain – which really should have been a win as well.
Eddie Howe’s side took on three elite teams and held their ground, despite still being in the midst of an injury crisis.
And things have only gotten worse ahead of Everton, with Nick Pope now sidelined with a shoulder injury.
That is another issue for Newcastle to contest with as they prepare to head to Goodison Park – a ground that they excelled at last season. Howe’s side won 4-1, on a night where Alexander Isak produced a moment of real magic.
While the table says otherwise, Everton are in better shape nowadays. Sean Dyche is doing well, and they only find themselves in the bottom three because of that 10-point deduction that has enraged the Toffees faithful.
That could lead to an intense atmosphere on Thursday night, and it is one that Newcastle must manage.
Paul Merson thinks the Magpies will do just that, and is backing them to make it a hat-trick of Premier League victories at Everton’s expense.
Paul Merson predicts Newcastle will beat Everton
In his latest column for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted the scores of all of the midweek Premier League games. He has backed Newcastle to win on Thursday, tipping them to win 2-1 at Goodison Park.
“Newcastle have been absolutely phenomenal this season,” he said.
“I have a lot of respect for the way they’ve played. The manager’s great and he improved people – that’s the name of the game when you’re a coach. They’re getting the rewards they deserve.
“Anthony Gordon’s going to get a lot of stick at Goodison Park this week. He’s been great so far, but he won’t be too comfortable against Everton. Newcastle slaughtered United without a lot of their players, and I can’t talk highly enough of them.
“I’d be shocked if Everton got relegated this season. They’ve got a lot of X-factor results in them, and they did well against Villa away from home. Everton can be dangerous on their day and with the three promoted teams struggling in the Premier League, they should be able to stay up.
“Everton are a funny team at home – they’re beating as an away side at the moment. If they’re able to create chances at home, they can cause Newcastle a few problems. I’m not sure if Newcastle can keep pulling off excellent performances every week, but they should be able to win this game.”
Merson is right about Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon
Merson is right about Anthony Gordon. He really is going to get a lot of stick on Thursday night.
He did the last time he returned to Goodison, on a night when Howe only trusted him to play the final five minutes.
But he is a completely different player now, and is playing the best football of his career. After his winner against Man United, there are increased calls for him to be named in Gareth Southgate’s next England squad.
Those calls will get even louder if he excels against Everton, in a game that will really test his mental fortitude.
It is a tough one to call, but Merson still thinks the Magpies will come out on top. Everton have not been great at home, but Newcastle haven’t been great on the road either.
Something will have to give on Thursday night, and Merson has predicted a narrow win for Eddie Howe and co. Fingers crossed he is right.
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