Everton will be hosting Newcastle United at their home, Goodison Park in what is to be their 35th fixture of the season. The Toffees are currently standing on the 9th position in the league table and will look to get maximum points from their forthcoming matches so as to end their season, which saw them enter the relegation zone at one point, in a comfortable position.
Manchester City have already been crowned as this term’s Premier League champions and the competition is now amongst the other teams to make it into the top four and qualify for the Champions League. Everton, however, have not been able to establish themselves as a challenger for a spot in the top four or at least top six, even after spending a humongous sum of money in the last summer transfer market. They brought in as many as nine new players into the side, including the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Keane and Davy Klaassen, who shone brightly for their respective sides in the last term.
However, none of the new players were able to replicate their forms in this season, leaving the Blues of the Merseyside struggling to stay alive in the top flight. An array of disappointing outings saw the then manager Ronald Koeman getting sacked and in came the hugely experienced Sam Allardyce with the arduous task of keeping the Toffees in the Premier League.
Now that they are out of the danger zone, Everton will look to gather as many points as possible from their remaining fixtures, starting with their home fixture against the Magpies. Rafa Benitez’s men are currently placed in the 10th position and will also look to improve their league standing, making it nothing less than a needle clash.
Everton will be without the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Mason Holgate due to their respective injury concerns along with Eliaquim Mangala who is out with knee injury.
This is how Sam Allardyce is expected to line up in the match against Newcastle United.
Predicted Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Jordan Pickford is expected to start beneath the crossbars for the Toffees. The heart of the backline will be guarded by the likes of Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka while Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines will be present on either side of the defence.
Midfield
Tom Davies and Idrissa Gana Gueye will be deployed in front of the back four and will have the task of keeping the ball in control and initiating attacks by feeding the right ball to the right player.
The attacking midfielder position is expected to be assigned to the hugely experienced Wayne Rooney. Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie are expected to start on the right and left flanks respectively.
Attack
Cenk Tosun is the predicted one to lead the line for Everton. The Turkish marksman has been in good touch of late and will look to add to his tally against Newcastle United. Oumar Niasse is expected to start from the bench.
