This Saturday, Everton welcomes Newcastle United to Goodison Park in what promises to be a pivotal Premier League showdown. Sean Dyche’s Everton side is coming off a much-needed win, a 2-1 comeback against Crystal Palace, which lifted some of the early-season gloom hanging over Merseyside. But the Toffees know they need more than just one victory to climb the table.

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Everton: Searching for Consistency

Sean Dyche’s Everton side has had a rough start to the 2024/25 season. The Toffees have managed to collect only four points from their first six matches, which has left them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. However, last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace has provided a glimmer of hope. Everton went behind early but showed resilience to claw back with goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, securing a vital win at home.

Despite the victory, Everton’s overall performance this season has been inconsistent at best. Dyche’s men have struggled to find the back of the net, managing just five goals in their opening six matches. Injuries to key players like club captain Seamus Coleman, as well as new signings Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja, have further compounded the issues, forcing Dyche to rely heavily on his more experienced squad members.

With Everton’s defense being one of their few strengths, the team has often been forced to sit deep and absorb pressure. This reactive, defensive approach is typical of Dyche’s management style, but the lack of creativity in midfield has made it difficult for the Toffees to generate attacking momentum. Abdoulaye Doucouré and Amadou Onana have been crucial in protecting the backline, while Dwight McNeil has been one of the few attacking players to consistently deliver, including his key performance in the win against Palace​.

The club’s recent takeover talks have also been a source of distraction, with potential new ownership looming over the team. While this could lead to much-needed investment, the uncertainty surrounding the takeover has put additional pressure on Dyche to turn things around quickly.

Newcastle United: Solid but Not Spectacular

On the other side, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United team enters this match in better form, having earned 11 points from their opening six games, including a resilient 1-1 draw against defending champions Manchester City last weekend​. Anthony Gordon’s 58th-minute penalty secured a point for the Magpies, who have generally performed well despite some inconsistency in front of goal.

Newcastle’s strong start to the season has been built on a solid defensive foundation, with the team conceding only seven goals so far. However, their attack has yet to fully click, particularly when it comes to breaking down defensive-minded teams like Everton. Despite boasting talent in attack with players like Miguel Almirón, Bruno Guimarães, and Callum Wilson, Newcastle has struggled to consistently create high-quality chances.

Eddie Howe’s side has also had its share of off-field distractions, particularly with some turmoil in the club’s hierarchy. The uncertainty hasn’t yet affected results, but it may have contributed to the slightly disjointed nature of Newcastle’s performances. That said, Newcastle has still shown they are capable of competing with the Premier League’s best, as evidenced by their draw with Manchester City and their victories earlier in the season​.

Tactical Battle

This match is shaping up to be a tactical chess match, with both teams likely to employ contrasting approaches. Everton, under Dyche, will probably stick to their tried-and-true defensive strategy, looking to soak up pressure and hit Newcastle on the counterattack. With Calvert-Lewin leading the line and Dwight McNeil providing width and creativity, the Toffees will aim to exploit the spaces left behind by Newcastle’s attacking fullbacks​.

However, Newcastle will be prepared for this. Howe has implemented a high-pressing, possession-based system that has worked well in most games this season, and he will likely instruct his side to dominate possession, particularly in the wide areas where Everton can be vulnerable. If Newcastle can move the ball quickly and get players like Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães into dangerous positions, they could find success in breaking down Everton’s compact defense​.

The battle in midfield will also be crucial. For Everton, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Amadou Onana will need to be at their best to disrupt Newcastle’s rhythm. Doucouré’s energy and ability to break up play, combined with Onana’s physical presence, could be key in stifling Newcastle’s creativity. On the other hand, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães will need to find pockets of space and dictate the tempo, while Joelinton and Sean Longstaff will provide support both defensively and offensively​.

Key Players to Watch

• Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton): Having struggled with injuries over the past year, Calvert-Lewin’s return to form will be critical for Everton’s chances in this match. His ability to hold up play, win aerial duels, and finish in the box makes him Everton’s main attacking threat
• Anthony Gordon (Newcastle): The former Everton man will be looking to make an impact against his old club. Gordon has been one of Newcastle’s standout performers this season, providing pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability on the wings
• Abdoulaye Doucouré (Everton): Doucouré has been pivotal in Everton’s midfield this season, providing defensive solidity and breaking up opposition play. His role in stopping Newcastle’s attacking transitions will be key to Everton’s chances of getting a result​
• Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle): Guimarães is the heartbeat of Newcastle’s midfield. His vision, passing range, and ability to control games make him a vital player for Howe’s side, especially when trying to break down stubborn defenses like Everton’s​

Prediction

This match has all the makings of a tight, low-scoring affair. Everton’s defensive style under Dyche means they will likely sit deep and frustrate Newcastle, while the Magpies have struggled to consistently break down organized defenses this season. With both teams needing points for different reasons—Everton to escape the relegation battle and Newcastle to maintain their position in the top half—this game could come down to small margins​.

A 1-1 draw seems like a likely outcome, with both sides struggling to find the attacking quality needed to break down the other. However, if Newcastle can find their rhythm in the final third, they may just edge it 1-0.

Betting Tips

For those looking to place bets, Under 2.5 goals could be a smart choice, given both teams’ tendencies toward low-scoring matches. Everton’s defensive approach and Newcastle’s lack of fluency in attack suggest this could be a game with few clear-cut chances​.

In terms of goal scorers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin offers good value for Everton, while Anthony Gordon, who has been in fine form, is a strong option for Newcastle​.