Everton are up against a very inconsistent Newcastle United side at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend.
Everton will be the favourites against Newcastle, which hasn’t been the case for years, ever since their takeover in 2021.
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Newcastle have lost three of their last five games in the Premier League, and some supporters even want Eddie Howe sacked.
The Toffees are fresh off the back of a win at Old Trafford, and they were 2-0 victors against Fulham in the game before that.
Ahead of the clash on Merseyside, we’ve taken a look at one very simple way the visitors can beat Newcastle.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
Everton must get lots of shots off against Nick Pope
It may sound quite simple, but Everton have a very clear route to victory by simply taking lots of shots against Nick Pope, who is bereft of confidence.
Pope made a howler in Newcastle’s defeat to Marseille on Tuesday evening, and that’s becoming all too familiar.
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The former Burnley shot-stopper is in a really tough patch of his career, and supporters have been crying out for him to be dropped for Aaron Ramsdale for a while now.
But, Howe has already hinted that he’ll be sticking with Pope against Everton: “He saved us many times. He made some really good saves against Manchester City just two days ago. That’s the life of a goalkeeper. But I’ll certainly back him.”
Moyes’ side must take advantage of that by high pressing the 33-year-old when he’s in possession and taking shots at all angles, including free-kicks.
Even those long-distance deadball situations with James Garner could cause serious problems for Pope if the strike dips just in front of him.
Everton can take confidence from Newcastle’s away record
Newcastle have been really poor away from home in the Premier League this season as they’ve failed to win a single game.
They actually reside 15th in the away table, with their form in and amongst sides tipped to suffer relegation.
# Team Played Won Drawn Lost
13 Nottm Forest 6 1 2 3
14 Bournemouth 6 1 2 3
15 Newcastle Utd 6 0 3 3
16 Brentford 6 1 0 5
17 Burnley 6 1 0 5
18 Leeds Utd 6 1 0 5
19 Fulham 6 0 1 5
20 Wolves 6 0 1 5
So, all the data suggests Everton should win here and that would be their third consecutive victory, putting their aspirations of Europe right back on track.
Moyes has constantly said he wants to qualify for Europe this season, and they’re currently just three points off fourth.
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