It has been a flat couple of weeks at Everton, and it feels like the upcoming 8 days could be huge when it comes to what kind of season 2026-27 turns out to be.
There’s a double-header against Newcastle United, and then a home game against Coventry City.
First up, Newcastle visit Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday in the League Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
Here’s what to expect from the Magpies.
LAST TIME OUT
Newcastle claimed a 2-0 win at struggling Crystal Palace on Sunday, with William Osula and Harvey Barnes on target early in the second half at Selhurst Park.
As has been a trend for Newcastle so far under Matthias Jaissle, they did give up chances, and had to ultimately grind out a win that took them a point above Everton in the Premier League standings.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Everton actually have an extremely positive recent record against Newcastle.
The Toffees have lost just 1 of their last 6 matches against the Magpies, albeit that did come at Hill Dickinson Stadium last season (1-4).
The overall record stands at 78 Everton wins, 38 draws and 72 Newcastle victories.
NEWCASTLE’S FORM
Here are Newcastle’s last six results:
September 8th: Millwall 0-1 Newcastle [EFL Cup]
September 14th: Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle
September 19th: Newcastle 2-1 Hull City
October 12th: Coventry City 4-1 Newcastle
October 17th: Newcastle 0-1 Aston Villa
October 25th: Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle
ONE TO WATCH
Newcastle’s squad was gutted in the summer, and while they have a new-look attack, one player who has shone consistently when available has been Barnes.
The winger leads Newcastle for goal involvements this season (6 — 4 goals, 2 assists), and is their top scorer.
He has also set up 15 chances for his team-mates, making him Newcastle’s most creative player.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Barnes is sure to be a big threat, especially up against either Merlin Röhl or Ainsley Maitland-Niles, neither of whom have looked particularly solid defensively.
WHAT CAN EVERTON TARGET?
Newcastle have been weak defensively this season.
They give up opportunities, and only 3 teams have a higher expected goals against (xGA) figure than their 13.7 this season.
Jaissle’s team have also faced the most shots in the top tier (138). Newcastle have also made 15 errors leading to shots in all competitions this term, which is 7 more than Everton (8).
So, Everton can target a leaky defence, yet against Chelsea less than 2 weeks ago, David Moyes’ men failed to do just that.
Moyes simply has to get out of his own way, here. Focus on what Everton can do well and don’t obsess over Newcastle’s strengths. The Toffees have enough quality to do the damage.
Stats courtesy of Opta Analyst
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