Everton appear to have found their feet after a shaky start to the season, with Newcastle United their next test in the Premier League this Saturday.

The Toffees secured a first league victory of the campaign last weekend as they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace thanks to a Dwight McNeil double. Score draws with Leicester City and Southampton came prior – Everton losing the latter on penalties in the Carabao Cup – but the weekend’s clash with Newcastle promises to be a sterner test for Sean Dyche’s side.

The Magpies currently find themselves seventh in the table after managing a point at home to reigning champions Manchester City last Saturday. They have lost just once this season – a 3-1 defeat to Fulham on the road – and secured their spot in the Carabao Cup fourth round midweek after a 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

Here is 90min’s guide to a familiar Premier League battle.

Everton vs Newcastle H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Jarrad Branthwaite made his return to the Everton lineup last weekend but could miss Newcastle’s visit with a training ground injury. He hasn’t been selected in Lee Carsley’s England squad but could yet feature this weekend.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are still missing, while right-back duo Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are pencilled in to return after the international period.

McNeil scored a brace last weekend and has been Everton’s brightest spark this season. He will need help in the final third from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored twice in his last four league matches.

Everton predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Mangala; Harrison, McNeil, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin.

Newcastle’s injury curse has continued in 2024/25, with a host of players missing this weekend. Alexander Isak is ruled out until after the international break, joining Callum Wilson, Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Miley in the treatment room.

Martin Dubravka and Matt Targett could miss out on Saturday but the good news for Howe is that Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Nick Pope should all be available despite recent injury scares.

Anthony Gordon scored last weekend while leading the line in place of Isak and he should be accompanied by Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy up top. Tino Livramento could return to the starting XI after only being used as a substitute against Man City.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Everton (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Gordon, Barnes.

It’s too soon to suggest that Everton have turned the corner but their recent performances have been more palatable for supporters, while some of their early season results were arguably a little unfortunate.

They should be primed to give Newcastle plenty of problems on Saturday, especially given the Magpies’ extra midweek workload. However, Howe’s men are seven points better off than Everton for a reason.

It’s difficult to look beyond a Newcastle victory this weekend, even if the Isak-less Magpies will be forced to battle for three points.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Newcastle

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