Everton vs Newcastle - Predicted line up and match preview
Newcastle return to action tomorrow night, only this time it's the Carabao Cup and a chance to progress to the quarter-finals.
Everton stand in our way at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with 8,000 Mags set to make the trip to Merseyside as we look to not only progress, but start to build some momentum after Sunday's much-needed win away to Crystal Palace.
The first half was worrying, and we'll need to iron out those issues from the off against the Toffees, yet our response in the second 45 was far more like it. Aggressive, moving the ball quicker, showing quality in the final third and defending resolutely to see out the win.
Sunday steadied the ship, sending us up to 8th in the league and to Everton with (hopefully) some renewed belief. The question now is, can we kick on, find consistency and more signs that the players are starting to buy into Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 formation and tactical approach?
With two games against Everton and Fulham away to come, I suspect we'll have a better idea of where this season is really heading in the next 10 days.
Predicted line-up
Jaissle's pre-match comments felt pretty telling when it comes to our likely line-up tomorrow night.
"Due to the history for the club in that competition, I have the same approach - to play with the best possible line-up.
"It shows the importance of that competition (that we're taking 8,000 fans) and we will also be aligned with that and go all in."
With that in mind, I think he'll stick largely with the formula and formation that won at Palace, although Dedic, Joelinton and Osula may be ones to watch. After recently returning from injuries, can they all go again?
I think they will, but one change I could foresee is a fit-again Anthony Elanga returning to offering that injection of pace against a slow Everton back line he hurt last season in our 4-1 win. Jacob Ramsey is also one to watch, should Joelinton or Joe Willock drop out.
Predicted XI: Hornicek - Dedic, Schär, Burn (c), Hall - Gonzalez, Joelinton - Elanga, Willock, Barnes - Osula.
Match prediction
Everton are without a win in their three games back from the international break and have blanked in recent defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea, but they have kept three clean sheets in their five home games in all competitions this season.
We'll have to start far sharper than we did on Sunday, but with many Everton fans fearing they've gone stale under David Moyes and Newcastle boosted by that vital win at Palace, I think we'll win on penalties after a low-scoring draw.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Newcastle (NUFC to win on penalties)
Howay the lads!
