EVERTON VS NEWCASTLE: PREVIEW

Bobby Vincent
Dec 4, 2018
2 min read

TEAM NEWS

Everton boss Marco Silva will be forced to assess the fitness of several players ahead of their match against Newcastle.

Silva revealed that Ademola Lookman is in contention to make his first league start this season. But Morgan Schneiderlin has a leg injury.

Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie will miss the trip to Merseyside, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against West Ham.

Christian Atsu or Jacob Murphy will come in for Ritchie, with Paul Dummett and Isaac Hayden both remaining sidelined.

THE MANAGERS

Everton manager Marco Silva has insisted that it is "not important" for his team to get one over former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

"It is a fact they are achieving better results away from home. They have good organisation.

"We have to play at our level with speed to create the chances to win the match.

"Rafa? It is not important for Everton to get one over him."

Newcastle manager Benitez has described every game in the Premier League as a "final" in their bid to remain in the top division of English football.

"Every game for us is a final. Everton have spent a lot of money, they are a great team with good players and a good manager.

"Every game is tough for us in the Premier League. December will be crucial because there are seven games. The difference between us in one point or one game and it will be like that until the end of the season."

MATCH STATS

Everton have won eight of their past nine Premier League matches against the Magpies.

There have been 18 penalties scored in the Premier League meetings between these two, more than in any other fixture in the division.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored four goals in his last five Premier League games at Goodison Park.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez could equal his personal record of 11 Premier League victories against an opponent. He has won 10 of his 16 league games against Everton.