Everton saw worst case Newcastle United scenario come true in the Champions League
Everton are hoping they can make a late push for a European finish in the Premier League this season.
David Moyes‘ side currently sit eighth in the Premier League, and are on course for another big step in the right direction up the league table this season.
Everton have been bettering their league standing from the year before for two-straight seasons now, having improved from 17th to 15th in 2023-24, before claiming 13th in 2024-25.
And now firmly settled in at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium home, the future does indeed look bright in the blue half of Merseyside, with the Toffees tantalisingly close to securing a return to European football.
Newcastle United seal big advantage for Everton clash
With Everton not in FA Cup action last weekend, they’ve had some extra time to prepare for a big Premier League meeting with Man United on Monday night.
It will see fourth take on eighth in what is a game that could have major ramifications for Everton’s European hopes, and as such, Moyes and his players will be fully focused on the Red Devils.
However, they will also know that another hugely important match awaits them after this coming Monday too, and that will see them travel to St James’ Park to play Newcastle United on 28 February.
But on the Tuesday night, just four days before they play Everton on the Saturday, Eddie Howe‘s side will be contesting a Champions League Round of 32 second leg tie against Azerbaijan outfit Qarabag FK.
However, Howe and his players have done themselves a huge favour on Wednesday night, as in their first leg game in Baku, Newcastle have thumped Qarabag 6-1.
This now means that Howe will be able to largely rest his key players for the second leg on 24 February, and can now put out a second-string side that barring an all-time collapse, should routinely see out the tie.
Had they not have put the tie to bed in the first leg, then Newcastle would surely have had to put a full-strength XI out against Qarabag on Tyneside, which would’ve been far from ideal with Everton on the agenda at the weekend.
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Everton’s recent head to head record vs Newcastle
With Newcastle currently occupying 10th in the Premier League, just one point behind Everton, the magnitude of their clash later this month is clear for all to see.
Should Everton win, that would potentially see off a major rival in the race, not only for European football, for a top half finish at the very least too.
However, Newcastle will be feeling confident of three points now, not just because Howe can rest his key starters for their second leg against Qarabag, but also the fact that they ran out 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture earlier this term.
But, prior to that November routing, Everton hadn’t lost any of their previous four against the Toon, winning twice and drawing twice, so the overall strength of recent form is with the Toffees.
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