Big Match Breakdown: Everton v Newcastle United

Both clubs battling to secure a top-half spot

Just a point separates Everton and Newcastle United ahead of tonight’s game at Goodison Park, with both sides looking to tie up a place in the Premier League’s top 10.

The Toffees have home advantage and have dominated recent meetings, but it’s the Magpies with form on their side – having won each of their last four matches.

Add in the fact that Everton boss Sam Allardyce is up against his former employers, and this promises to be an intriguing encounter.

The Coral News Team have all the need-to-know info ahead of this clash…

Head to Head

Over history, this has been a fairly even fixture. Everton have had 64 wins to Newcastle’s 60, with 32 meetings ending level.

However, recent clashes have almost all gone the way of the Merseyside club. The Toffees have won seven of their last eight games against the Magpies, including each of the last four. Most recent was December’s 1-0 triumph at St James’ Park.

In fact, Newcastle haven’t even scored in any of those four meetings, conceding eight times in the process.

Likely XIs

Allardyce has tended to set his side up in a 4-3-3 system at Goodison. In midfield, Idrissa Gueye is likely to sit just behind a duo of Wayne Rooney and Tom Davies.

Meanwhile, the regular front trio of Yannick Bolasie, Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott could again unite to good effect.

The visitors have had success with a 4-4-1-1 set-up. Their backline is unlikely to change, with Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune established as a strong centre-back duo. At the other end, Joselu could come in for the out-of-form Dwight Gayle.