Everton v Newcastle: Match Preview, Team News & Prediction

YCMIU! Yesterday in my post on how 'unimportant' the tonight's EFL Cup match was against Everton I asked would we still think that if we were drawn against Fleetwood should we get through to the last eight.

And, that's exactly who we'll play if we win tonight.

Match Preview

Blog member Barry Paul Henry made a really interesting point yesterday...

Would last night's cup draw influence Jaissle's team selection at Everton?

Away to Man City or Liverpool and MJ may have decided that with a PL game on Monday - if he wanted to play the same team in that match that beat Palace - that making wholesale changes in a match where we wouldn't be favourites even with our first eleven might be the smart move.

Being drawn away to Fleetwood in the QF means that a win at Everton could put us just one game away from returning to Wembley if we can turn the Toffee's into fudge tonight.

So... does he put out his strongest team, or does he only rotate experienced players for experienced players ie., Thiaw and Botman for Schar and Burn, Willock for Jo, Wissa for Osula?

MJ also has to second guess David Moyes's team selection as he is faced with the same conundrum... the temptation of an EFL Cup SF on the horizon versus wanting to get three points at SJP on Monday evening.

How the two managers decide on the strength of the sides they put out will likely be a big factor in a match that has now taken on far more significance than it had before last night's draw.

I doubt many Toon fans now will be thinking they won't be too bothered if we lose; over two legs in a SF owt can happen and if we get past Everton and Fleetwood we could yet be walking down Wembley Way again next March.

As me fatha Bill always used to say "nowt stays the same son"...

And the renewed attitude and anticipation from fans to tonight's match proves that.

Team News

I've just about covered that in the match preview and with no new injuries to report and only Tino and Jaouen definitely out MJ has a decent squad to select from.

The big call for me is the CB's.

Schar and Burn didn't make one mistake between them against Palace and although the home team had their fair share of shots our two CB's - and Hornicek - played a huge part in coming away with a clean sheet and a win.

Mistakes are what Thiaw and Botman have been up to in recent games including the two 4-1 hidings at Leeds and Coventry.

MJ has to balance that against playing Schar and Burn three times in eight days and if that sparks off a previous injury or muscle pull our manager will get "I told you so" echoing in his ears.

It's a big call for Jaissle and it could have a bearing not only on tonight's result but also on Monday night's PL game.

Bingo players will have the same dilemma in their starting 11's.

Prediction

I cleaned the bookies out with my 14/1 fiver bet on a 2-0 prediction against Palace so flush with success and rolling in dosh I'm going to stick my hand out across the betting counter and slap another fiver on 2-0 to the Toon.

I'm an all in type of guy me :)

I've just got that feeling we are going to win...

Mind, more often than not over the past 60 odd years those winning feelings have slapped me hard in the face as the oppo slapped us to an easy defeat.

Bottom line; both teams will know that the door to the SF is open and both will want to storm through it, so I think this will be an open attacking game.

Another key factor could be Elanga, Pardo or Toure coming off the bench to run at tired legs in the second half.

I'm now really looking forward to this game.

Unimportant? No way Hose'.

Jezza's Bingo: Entries no later than 5.15pm

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