Mark Lawrenson makes Everton vs Newcastle prediction
Mark Lawrenson believes Everton can get back to winning ways against Newcastle United on Thursday thanks to the long-awaited return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The England international started the season on fire with three goals in three games, before a series of injuries and setbacks have seen him ruled out ever since.
Everton have struggled for form massively, winning just once in their last 11 Premier League games. But they come up against a Newcastle side battered by injuries and 19th in the league at Goodison Park this week and Lawrenson believes it’s the chance to turn it around with a 2-1 win.
Writing in his BBC Sport predictions column, Lawrenson backed Everton to get the victory and said he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ to see Calvert-Lewin back amongst the goals.
“Newcastle really need to win this one, especially with so many of the teams above them having games in hand on them,” he said.
“I don’t see them getting anything at Goodison Park though. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have been training properly for a while now so Everton will get more minutes out of him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he marks his comeback with a goal or two.”
Huge boost
The return of Calvert-Lewin is undoubtedly a huge boost for Everton and Rafa Benitez.
The boss has been under immense pressure since arriving at Goodison Park, with fans never approving of his appointment due to his Liverpool connections.
However they started the season well, and it all went downhill when injuries hit hard.
With players beginning to return, their performance levels have been better and now their main man is back to produce the goods at the right end of the pitch.
Newcastle turned in their best performance of the season against Manchester United but could only earn a draw and suffered muscle injuries to both Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson.
With Eddie Howe worried about the players he has to choose from, there is no better chance for Everton to claim all three points and get some good feeling back heading into 2022.
In other Everton news, Toffees handed boost in chase for ‘Iranian Messi’ who has 62 goals in 104 games.