Chris Sutton has predicted a 2-0 win for Newcastle United on Thursday evening as Everton welcome Eddie Howe’s side to Goodison Park.
Indeed, the pundit states that he ‘could really see’ why Everton are the lowest scorers in the league following the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last week.
Newcastle meanwhile go into the game off the back of a demolition job against Spurs when the Magpies comfortably dispatched the North London club 6-1.
Writing on his BBC Sport column, Sutton said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin came into the team and they were very direct, with balls into him and then trying to find runners off that.
They were also hoping for Alex Iwobi and Demarai Grey to spark something with some individual brilliance but it didn’t really happen, and you could really see why the Toffees are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season.
This is the last game they need after dropping into the bottom three. Everton don’t carry enough of a threat and then you are left asking whether they can keep an in-form Newcastle side out.”
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Everton fans will be hoping Sutton is wrong as Blues need points
Everton desperately need points on the board with just six games remaining and facing an in-form Newcastle team with Champions League ambitions is less than ideal for Sean Dyche’s side.
The Blues rarely threatened Crystal Palace’s goal during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park and will need to offer the fit-again Dominic Calvert-Lewin more support if the Blues are to get the best out of the England international.
Abdoulaye Doucoure returns from his three-match ban for the Blues and Amadou Onana may make a return from injury, both of whom have been sorely missed in recent games.
The Goodison crowd will play a big part in the outcome of this one, but Everton’s players need to match on the pitch the passion and commitment shown in the stands.