Newcastle United face Everton in an 8pm GMT Premier League kick-off, with the two sides sitting 12th and 14th respectively. The match is not expected to produce an open, high-scoring contest, given both teams’ recent difficulties in creating clear chances and sustaining attacking momentum.
Everton arrive with Thierno Barry in strong form. The striker has scored seven goals in 11 appearances after initially struggling to adapt to the Premier League. His role became more important after Everton failed to sign Folarin Balogun from Monaco, while a proposed move for Joshua Zirkzee also did not happen and Beto was sold. Barry scored in Everton’s recent League Cup victory over Newcastle and will again lead the attack.
David Moyes makes two changes to Everton’s starting side. Jarrad Branthwaite returns after missing two matches while following concussion protocol, and Harrison Armstrong also comes in. Hayden Hackney and Tyler Dibling drop to the bench, with Merlin Rohl moving from right-back to right-wing and Jake O’Brien shifting from central defence to cover the full-back position.
Everton will also be without Jack Grealish after his suspension. Tyrique George is expected to have an opportunity in his absence, while Dibling could also feature from the bench. The changes leave Everton relying on younger players to provide attacking energy, despite Grealish’s importance in creating chances.
Newcastle make two changes, with Anthony Elanga returning to the starting XI for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury at Millwall nearly two months ago. Joelinton also comes into the side, while Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy move to the bench. Will Osula is fit enough to start, giving Newcastle another central attacking option.
Newcastle’s recent performances have been inconsistent under Matthias Jaissle. They have shown positive signs, including last weekend’s win at Crystal Palace, but defeats at Leeds and Coventry have already made this their third difficult Monday-night fixture of the season. A lack of physicality has also been identified as a particular weakness.
The home side have created only 14 big chances, with just two clubs producing fewer. Newcastle’s attacking options have been further limited by injury, while the young attackers signed during the summer have so far been used mainly as late substitutes.
Everton are expected to use direct passes towards Barry, with Rohl, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and George supporting him around the penalty area. George’s pace could test Newcastle’s defenders, while Dewsbury-Hall is likely to look for passes behind the defence, shots and late runs into the box.
Newcastle may defend deeper and seek opportunities on the counter-attack. Elanga, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock offer pace in transition, while Bruno Guimarães is expected to help control possession. Joelinton could press higher up the pitch, with the full-backs also pushing forward to support crosses and cut-backs aimed at Osula.
Everton have scored only eight league goals, with only bottom-placed Sunderland having scored fewer. Their defensive organisation has generally been more reliable than their attack, a pattern that has been associated with the club for several seasons.
With both teams short of attacking fluency and the match carrying the tension of a closely matched league fixture, aggression and physical intensity may prove more influential than sustained possession or flowing football.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.