– Newcastle came from behind to beat West Ham on Saturday
– Everton have not won in the league since December
– Recommended bet: Harvey Barnes anytime goalscorer
Newcastle came from behind and beat West Ham in a rollercoaster game on Saturday and will aim to carry that momentum into Tuesday’s visit of Everton.
The Magpies took the lead but found themselves 3-1 down before a late Harvey Barnes brace helped them to a 4-3 victory after Alexander Isak had reduced the arrears with his second successful penalty.
It was a different story for Everton, who lost 2-1 at Bournemouth and are still to win in the league in 2024.
An own goal from Seamus Coleman settled the game at the Vitality and was an apt summation of how things are going for Sean Dyche’s team, who are hovering three points above the relegation places.
The Magpies are stricken by injuries and will also be without the suspended Anthony Gordon. However, with Barnes back in business, they could prolong their hopes of finishing in the European places with another victory.
Team news
Barnes is likely to start for Newcastle after Gordon received a second yellow card late in the win over West Ham, and he will serve his ban on Tuesday.
Centre-back Jamaal Lascelles faces six to nine months out after suffering an ACL injury in Saturday’s win.
Everton could hand striker Beto a start after he came off the bench to score against Bournemouth, while Dyche will hope to have Vitaliy Mykolenko available following illness.
The stats
Newcastle are unbeaten at home in four in all competitions and have won 10 out of their 15 league outings at St James’ Park.
Everton have won five out of 15 away league matches. However, the last of those victories came at Burnley in December.
The Toffees won December’s reverse fixture 3-0 at Goodison Park but have lost on their last three visits to Tyneside.
All four of Barnes’ goals this season have come at home, he also scored against the Toffees for Leicester during the 2022-23 campaign.
Prediction
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Everton’s form must be a real worry for fans, and Coleman’s own goal epitomised their situation.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not scored since October, and it might now be time for Dyche to back Beto by giving him a run of games, especially after scoring at Bournemouth.
Whether the Portuguese is the answer remains to be seen, and the Toffees may look at Newcastle as an example of how to adapt to injuries and other issues.
Admittedly, the Magpies have a much bigger squad, yet they have had double-figure absentees for long spells. Eddie Howe has kept them competitive and could be rewarded with a big end to the season.
Barnes fits into that category, having missed out between the end of September and the start of February due to a hamstring problem.
His goals against the Hammers showed his quality, with the first a cool finish and before winning the game with a dipping effort from a distance.
The 26-year-old’s arrival from Leicester was a real coup, and he could be key to Newcastle’s chances of another European finish.
