Boxing Day is arguably a football fan’s favourite day of the year, and this time around Newcastle United welcome Everton to St James’ Park for this festive season clash.
Hosts Newcastle have flattered to deceive in recent weeks. Shock wins over Liverpool and Tottenham raised spirits around the club, but things are never easy when you are Newcastle, and this was shown through their draw against Aston Villa in a match they were expected to win.
Everton’s recent form can only be described as frustrating. The Toffees have only won twice since November (against the bottom two clubs Sunderland and Aston Villa), and have only managed to draw away matches to newly-promoted pair Norwich City and Bournemouth. They could consider themselves unlucky to lose their last outing to Leicester, where two conceded penalties contributed to a 3-2 defeat at Goodison Park.
Key Battle – Chancel Mbemba vs Romelu Lukaku
Belgian international and Everton record signing Romelu Lukaku has been in superb form, netting in his last seven outings. His ability to score at will has prompted talk that he could catch Jamie Vardy’s record of scoring in 11 consecutive matches (a record which itself has only just recently been set). Against the Magpies, Lukaku will have a chance to edge closer to the record but first and foremost his aim will be to get the Toffees three points. His likely opponent will be Chancel Mbemba who has been somewhat of a revelation on Tyneside in his first Premier League season. Mbemba will have a tough job on his hands but if he can contain the 22-year-old, it could swing the match in favour of the Magpies.
Team News
Papiss Cisse suffered a groin strain against Aston Villa and will not feature. He joins Mike Williamson, Jamaal Lascelles, Massadio Haidara, Rolando Aarons, Steven Taylor and Tim Krul on the sidelines.
Steven Naismith and James McCarthy are in doubt and with the busy festive schedule are unlikely to be risked. Other injured squad members include Bryan Oviedo, Phil Jagielka, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar.
Head-to Head
These two have met on 167 occasions, with Everton just shading the head-to-head history with 67 wins to Newcastle’s 65. Thirty-five matches have been drawn.
Previous Meeting
These two last met in March at Goodison Park, where the Toffees easily accounted for a poor Newcastle side, winning 3-0. Goals from McCarthy, Lukaku and Ross Barkley secured the points, while Newcastle’s misery was compounded by a straight red card to Fabricio Coloccini for a poor challenge. This win came at a very important time for Everton, who before kick-off, were only three points above the relegation zone.
Prediction
Taking into account the inconsistency of both teams, this seems like a tough match to predict. Newcastle’s draw against Aston Villa last weekend was a step in the wrong direction, but they have shown glimpses of good football at times this season. Meanwhile, Everton seem to have a big problem in converting one point into three. You never know which Newcastle or Everton is going to turn up so a draw seems like a likely outcome on Boxing Day.
Newcastle United 1 Everton 1
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