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Michael Owen predicts Newcastle v Everton

5 years ago
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Michael Owen has been looking ahead to the game at St James Park on Saturday.

The team he used to [occasionally…] play for, against the one he supported as a kid.

The scousers have only won one of five games since January, doing Newcastle a favour when winning their last away game 3-0 at relegation threatened Cardiff.

Everton limited Cardiff to no shots on target and then followed that up with a battling goalless draw at home to Liverpool, a result they loved as it put a dent in the title hopes, the blue scousers limiting their city rivals to only three shots on target.

Overall though, Everton are very much stuck right in the middle of the Premier League, very average, despite some massive spending these past three seasons of around £340m on the squad. Silva’s team have scored 39 goals and conceded the same amount, scoring 13 more than Newcastle but conceding three more, stats that have placed them tenth in the table.

As Michael Owen points out, Newcastle have found some scoring form of their own, nine goals and only one conceded helping to deliver four consecutive home victories. That is pretty prolific compared to only 17 goals from their other 25 Premier League games.

It was an interesting game at Goodison Park in December, Rondon giving Newcastle the lead but Richarlison equalising. Everton dominated the other stats but Newcastle still had five efforts on target compared to only three for Everton.

Having found their stride in recent times at home, Rafa Benitez will be hoping that games at St James Park can ensure a comfortable end of season.

The first 11 home PL games had produced only seven points from a possible 33, before this four game winning run. Maybe a bit of a surprise with this recent home form that the bookies (see below) make Everton slight favourites to win on Saturday.

As a positive, hopefully Everton might try to attack as they have little to lose, making for a better more open game. Safe already on 37 points but six points off seventh spot with nine games to play, a target to play for of Europa League football and being best of the rest. The gap from Everton in 10th to Chelsea in 6th is a massive 19 points and Chelsea have a game in hand as well, a further illustration of the superiority of the top six this season.

Michael Owen predicts a draw but an ‘entertaining encounter’, a fifth home win in a row would be massive for Newcastle and a small payback for the last two clashes between the two clubs at St James Park when the scousers have been fortunate 1-0 victors both times.

Michael Owen talking to BetVictor:

“Everton have won four of their last five away league games at Newcastle but United have won their last four home PL games by an aggregate score of 9-1.

“I feel it will be honours even, however, at St James’ Park.

“Everton have kept a clean sheet in their last couple of league games and won two of their last three on the road, but this is an improving Magpies’ side.

“Despite a below par performance at the City of London Stadium last weekend.

“Although they may have to settle for a point from what promises to be an open entertaining encounter.

“Tip: Game to finish in a draw at 11/5.”

Newcastle v Everton Match Betting:

Newcastle win 15/8Draw 11/5Everton win 7/4

Ritchie to score first goal 22/1NUFC win 2-0 13/1NUFC win to nil 7/2

All Newcastle v Everton betting HERE

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