Newcastle v Everton: Allardyce has big chance to continue solid start

Newcastle v Everton
Wednesday 13 December, 19:45

Danger zone

Uncertainty behind the scenes at St James' Park has been joined by similar inertia on the pitch and Saturday's 3-2 home defeat by Leicester means Newcastle have now lost six of their last seven matches, plunging them to a precarious 16th in the table.

With only two points separating them from the relegation zone, they could be in the bottom three by the end of the midweek matches if they lose again.

Christian Atsu came off the bench on Saturday for his first appearance in a month and Jamaal Lascelles is also close to a return after being among the unused subs.

Right direction

Everton are already looking more secure in 10th place after the weekend fixtures, having taken seven points out of nine since Sam Allardyce was appointed manager.

They are still nine points off the top six, which is where they expected to be challenging this season, but Sunday's 1-1 in the Merseyside derby was another step in the right direction even if it was far from an even game before Wayne Rooney's penalty gave them a point.

Big chance for Everton

Leicester's 3-2 win at St James' Park on Saturday was a third straight loss at home for Newcastle, whose early signs of promise have quickly faded.

Their three home wins have been against teams currently in the bottom six, with just one point from five matches against sides above that level (albeit that the draw was a creditable 1-1 against Liverpool).

It has been a similar story on the road, with just one point (at Southampton) against teams above the bottom six, and those form lines indicate Newcastle have found their true position among the strugglers.

An overall record of W0 D2 L9 against teams above the bottom six suggests Rafael Benitez's side are there for the taking but Allardyce will have to exact significant improvement on the road if Everton are to take advantage.

The Toffees are winless in their first eight away matches, although a mitigating factor is that those fixtures have included visits to all of the top four teams (and they have drawn at Manchester City and Liverpool).

A positive is that their overall record against teams in the bottom eight is W3 D2 L0 (both draws were away) and four of their next five games are against that group, which gives Allardyce a good chance to take Everton forward quickly.

It is difficult to place full faith in the Toffees just yet and, with the likelihood of Allardyce setting his team up not to lose, the solid option is Everton on draw no bet at 2.36.

No strong goals trend

Both teams have an even split of matches with over/under 2.5 goals this season. While Newcastle's figures do not vary home and away, Everton tend more towards unders (63%) on the road.

Both of Allardyce's first two matches in charge have had under 2.5 goals, perhaps a sign that he is putting defence first in his efforts to stabilise Everton's form.

Ref Watch

Martin Atkinson is one of the most experienced referees and is often given a match involving one of the big six. His yellow card count is below the Premier League average, with half of his 10 matches this season producing two or fewer.

Recommended Bet
Everton on Draw No Bet at 2.36

Opta Stat
Rafael Benitez has never lost a Premier League home game against Everton, winning five and drawing two. Newcastle are 2.46 to win.