Fresh off their busy transfer windows, Newcastle United and Everton will lock horns at St James’ Park on Tuesday night in what could be labelled a relegation six-pointer.
As expected, newly-rich Newcastle United splurged the cash in the January transfer market as they intended to boost their squad to drag themselves out of their current predicament. But the high-profile signing of one particular Brazilian maestro was the highlight of the Magpies’ winter business.
Having been linked to a host of elite clubs across the continent, including extensive links to Champions League contenders Arsenal, Bruno Guimaraes moved to Tyneside from Lyon in a major statement of intent from Newcastle’s new owners. Aside from that, the Magpies went for proven English top-flight experience and revamped their defensive ranks with the signings of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett (loan).
Back to footballing action on the pitch after a brief winter break, the Magpies still have a lot of work to do if they are to maintain their Premier League status this term, with Howe’s side sitting 19th in the table – only one point adrift of Norwich City. So the new additions will need to hit the ground running.
The Toon have strung together a three-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League and will hope to take a major step towards survival when they welcome Everton to St James’ Park on Tuesday night, hoping to build on their 1-0 victory over Leeds.
Everton, meanwhile, will arrive at Tyneside on Tuesday just four points ahead of their opponents in the table, having lost their last three games in the league. The Toffees have also strengthened with the deadline day additions of Donny van de Beek (loan) and Dele Alli, while they have also brought in Nathan Patterson from Rangers, Anwar El Ghazi from Aston Villa (loan), and Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kyiv earlier last month.
FT. UTFT!!! ✊?
? 4-1 ? #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/tUNZlj9MJN
— Everton (@Everton) February 5, 2022
The Toffees head into this encounter on the back of a morale-boosting 4-1 FA Cup win over Brentford in their most recent fixture. Richarlison, Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Andros Townsend were all on the scoresheet as Frank Lampard made a near-perfect start to life as a manager at Goodison Park after taking over the reins from Rafael Benitez on the final day of the transfer window.
Everton need a strong display to revive their depleted morale as they aim to shift their fortunes around after an underwhelming first half of the season. Ahead of their crunch clash against relegation-threatened Newcastle on Tuesday night, the Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both sides.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Newcastle had a bloated squad following the January window, which meant three senior players in Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark and Jamal Lewis were left out of the club’s 25-man squad for the remainder of the season to accommodate the new arrivals.
Federico Fernandez, Paul Dummett, and Matt Ritchie are all close to returning from injuries suffered before the winter break, whilst in-form Joelinton will go through a late fitness test ahead of the crunch clash alongside captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Our new recruits. ?#NUFC // @KAYAK pic.twitter.com/xZSEEIHZ7D
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 7, 2022
Marquee signing Bruno Guimaraes landed in Newcastle on Friday afternoon after returning from international duty with Brazil and should have enough time with his new teammates to make his full debut here, while deadline day defensive duo Dan Burn and Matt Targett may be thrown in straight away for their debuts as well.
Martin Dubravka will be an undisputed starter in between the sticks for the Magpies, with Newcastle lining up in a 4-5-1 formation in front of him. Eddie Howe might deploy a new central defensive pairing of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn; the 6ft 4in left-footed centre-half will bring aerial dominance and added composure to the backline.
Kieran Trippier will function at right-back while defensively sound Matt Targett will be hoping to give a good account of himself as the left-back. Both will have the license to cause menace surging forward – especially the former with his effective overlapping runs, quality crossing and set-piece characteristics.
Joelinton has been sensational in the central midfield role and can make a return alongside compatriot Guimaraes and playmaker Jonjo Shelvey to form a three-man central midfield unit. Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser will try to put their pace and creativity to good use down the left and right flank respectively. Chris Wood will continue to spearhead the line with Callum Wilson unavailable through injury.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; Fraser, Shelvey, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin; Wood
Everton
✊ | A ??? gameweek ahead:
Tue: Newcastle (A)
Sat: Leeds (H)#MondayMotivation ? #COYB pic.twitter.com/EHqbuAWMcM— Everton (@Everton) February 7, 2022
Everton boss Frank Lampard remains hopeful of having talisman striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit for the crunch Premier League encounter with Newcastle United after the Englishman returned to individual training on Friday.
Ben Godfrey is out for an extended period with a hamstring injury suffered early into their FA Cup win over Brentford. The defender joins midfielders Tom Davies, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Fabian Delph in the treatment room. The deadline day arrivals Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli were cup-tied in midweek, but are available for debuts here given the Toffees’ midfield shortcomings.
Frank Lampard deployed a 3-4-3 formation in his first game as Everton manager, but it would be intriguing to see how he will integrate both Alli and Van de Beek in the same side since they would want to play in a number ten role. The former Chelsea boss may opt for a proactive 4-2-3-1 system, with Jordan Pickford featuring in goal for the Merseyside outfit.
Michael Keane will function along with Yerry Mina at the heart of Lampard’s defence as they look to keep things solid at the back throughout the whole 90 minutes, with Seamus Coleman and Vitaliy Mykolenko being the two full-backs tasked to stay narrow to reduce Newcastle’s threats in Fraser and Saint-Maximin, while also providing width going forward.
Allan will partner up with Van de Beek in the double midfield pivot as they look to dictate the battle from the middle of the park. Demarai Gray will look to make a good impression down the left flank while Richarlison adds technical quality, direct dribbling and goalscoring prowess from the right. Alli will operate in the floating No 10 position, offering work rate, link-up play and technical ability to churn out chances for Calvert-Lewin up top.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Mykolenko; Allan, Van de Beek; Gray, Alli, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Key Stats
- The Magpies surprised Everton with both home and away league wins over the Toffees last term under Steve Bruce. However, Newcastle have not won successive home league games against Everton since April 2004.
- Everton have lost 5 of their last 6 Premier League games on the road.
- Newcastle United have won just once in 11 home league games this term (D6 L4); a narrow 1-0 victory was their last success at St James’ Park.
- Newcastle have not registered more than one goal in any of their last nine league games since an entertaining 3-3 draw against Brentford. Meanwhile, the visitors have lost each of their last 3 league games by a one-goal margin.
- Everton are winless in the last three meetings with Newcastle, who have not secured back-to-back Premier League wins since May 2021.
Player to Watch
Allan Saint-Maximin
The January additions of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon and right-back Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid were the standout deals for the Magpies, but Eddie Howe would have ideally wanted to boost his attacking contingent further aside from Chris Wood, with the team severely lacking goals in the absence of star striker Callum Wilson.
To that end, the Toon’s electric winger Saint-Maximin has stepped up his end product this term, contributing with five goals and three assists in 21 appearances – a goal involvement every 2.63 games. The Frenchman is averaging a league-best 4.3 dribbles per game and will now have a better supporting cast to make a real difference in the attacking third of the pitch and make valuable contributions.
Prediction
Newcastle United 2-1 Everton
The Magpies enjoyed a very encouraging January transfer window, with some shrewd business done and upgrades in all areas of the pitch. Now, the pressure shifts on Eddie Howe to integrate the signings quickly and deliver vital results on the pitch to steer the Magpies to safety. On the other hand, the new manager bounce will be in full effect for the Toffees as they saw off a Brentford side with aplomb in Frank Lampard’s first game in charge.
Both teams have been plagued by defensive issues this season. Howe will be hoping that his new additions rectify their defensive woes at home, which have resulted in 23 goals shipped – the second-worst record on home soil this season.
The Magpies have already shown signs of improvements in the recent fixtures, claiming four points from the last two Premier League games while conceding only once in the process. However, they face a difficult task against the rejuvenated Toffees, making it an entertaining spectacle. The Hard Tackle predicts Newcastle to edge out an enthralling contest 2-1 at St James’ Park.
