Paul Merson predicts result of Everton Premier League clash v Newcastle United
Paul Merson has shared his prediction as Everton take on Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday 7 December at Goodison Park.
Dwight McNeil’s clinical strike gave Everton their first win since their 10 Premier League points deduction as they hung on to beat Nottingham Forest helping them move off the bottom of the table to 18th.
The Sky Sports pundit said in his prediction for Sportskeeda on 4 December that he’d be shocked if Everton were relegated from the Premier League despite their points deduction and their “X-factor results” in recent weeks makes this a dangerous game for Eddie Howe’s rampant Magpies.
He wrote: “Newcastle have been absolutely phenomenal this season. I have a lot of respect for the way they’ve played. The manager’s great and he improved people – that’s the name of the game when you’re a coach. They’re getting the rewards they deserve.
“Anthony Gordon’s going to get a lot of stick at Goodison Park this week. He’s been great so far, but he won’t be too comfortable against Everton. Newcastle slaughtered United without a lot of their players, and I can’t talk highly enough of them.
“I’d be shocked if Everton got relegated this season. They’ve got a lot of X-factor results in them, and they did well against Villa away from home. Everton can be dangerous on their day and with the three promoted teams struggling in the Premier League, they should be able to stay up.
“Everton are a funny team at home – they’re beating as an away side at the moment. If they’re able to create chances at home, they can cause Newcastle a few problems. I’m not sure if Newcastle can keep pulling off excellent performances every week, but they should be able to win this game.
“Prediction: Everton 1-2 Newcastle United.”
Goodison concern
Newcastle United are arguably the most injury-plagued side in the division right now but that does not mean they are in a weaker position as a result, as shown by their tremendous performance against Manchester United at the weekend.
Howe’s men will enter Thursday’s contest at Goodison Park with plenty of confidence after that win and the football being played under Howe’s management certainly makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the division.
Everton despite their win over Nottingham Forest – a very crucial one given their run of fixtures coming up – cannot afford to take anything for granted right now.
However, their home form is of grave concern for Sean Dyche with the Toffees yet to record a victory on home turf since their 3-0 win over Bournemouth on 7 October.
In fact, the Blues have the third-worst home record in the division with just one win from their seven games at Goodison Park (SofaScore)
If Everton are to get past their points deduction fodder and pick themselves up again, they’ve got to make Goodison Park a fortress again and a win over the Magpies on Thursday could go a long way in quelling their home doubts right now.
However, they will face off against a former employer in the best form of his career right now in Gordon who will certainly take no prisoners on Thursday. Dangerous contest indeed.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit was amazed by something he saw after the Toffees’ win at Nottingham Forest.