Everton vs Newcastle United
The stakes are high for perennial Premier League strugglers Everton as they take on Newcastle United at Goodison Park this weekend.
Everton turned the tables on Crystal Palace last weekend, overhauling a halftime deficit to claim their first Premier League in 2024/25 (2-1) and relieve some pressure on under-fire manager Sean Dyche. It was the Toffees’ sixth win across their last eight league outings at Goodison Park (L2) in a run stretching back to early April. During that sequence, no other Premier League team has amassed more home points than Everton’s 18, suggesting back-to-back home wins against Newcastle following a 3-0 romping in this corresponding fixture last term could be on the cards. Breaking the deadlock wouldn’t necessarily mean three points for Dyche’s side, considering they’ve dropped a league-high eight from winning positions this season. It would still be a boost as they hope to defy an underwhelming six-game H2H home form (W1, D3, L2).
Meanwhile, Newcastle United fought stoically in a 1-1 home draw against perennial champions Manchester City last weekend before squeaking past lower-league AFC Wimbledon in midweek EFL Cup action. However, the Magpies’ performance in the latter match flattered to deceive, potentially casting doubt on their effort to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat at Fulham on their last Premier League road trip. Despite that setback, Eddie Howe’s men have still racked up the most points at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2011/12 (11 – W3, D2, L1). It could’ve been more had it not been for Newcastle’s travel sickness, with the visitors registering just one win inside 90 minutes across their four competitive away games this term (W1, D2, L1).