Everton have been handed a boost ahead of their clash with Newcastle United on Saturday evening, with three key Magpies confirmed unavailable due to injury. The Toffees are looking to extend their winning run to three games in a row, a feat they last achieved in May, ironically by defeating Newcastle in that streak.
David Moyes has guided Everton to a strong start to the season, and fans are hopeful that the club can build on recent momentum to push for European qualification. Newcastle, by contrast, have struggled for consistency in the Premier League, leaving Moyes and his squad optimistic ahead of the weekend.
Newcastle will be without three players for the trip to Goodison Park, further easing Everton’s task. Veteran full-back Kieran Trippier, who has been linked with a move back to Everton in the past, is sidelined and will not feature.
While his absence is notable, young full-back Tino Livramento has recently returned to the squad, having impressed in Newcastle’s recent matches against Marseille and Manchester City. This mitigates the impact of Trippier’s absence to some extent, giving Eddie Howe alternative options on the right flank.
Young Danish striker William Osula will also miss out. The 19-year-old has been battling an ankle issue for several weeks, limiting his availability for both training and match action.
Eddie Howe has indicated that Osula is not far from a return, but Saturday comes too soon for him to feature. The loss of Osula leaves Newcastle reliant on other forwards, notably Nick Woltemade, to provide attacking impetus against the Toffees.
Finally, £55 million summer signing Yoane Wissa remains sidelined without having made his Newcastle debut. The former Brentford winger has been out with a knee injury since arriving in the summer, forcing the Magpies to rely heavily on existing attacking options.
While Wissa is reportedly close to returning, he will not be available for this weekend’s fixture, giving Everton a reprieve from facing one of Newcastle’s potentially most dangerous attacking players.
With these absences, Howe will have to reshuffle his side and make do with the rest of his squad. Everton, on the other hand, can prepare knowing that Newcastle’s attacking options are somewhat limited.
Moyes will be keen to exploit this advantage, particularly as the team looks to build momentum and claim a third consecutive victory in the Premier League.
A win for Everton could have a significant impact on the Premier League table. Victory would take them to 21 points, potentially moving them into fourth place, depending on other results across the league.
A four-goal winning margin could see the Toffees leapfrog several clubs above them, a scenario that would mark a major boost for the team’s season ambitions.
However, with seven teams ahead in the table, Everton’s exact position will depend on a combination of other results, including matches involving Sunderland, Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Aston Villa.
The Premier League table ahead of the weekend reads as follows:
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 29 |
| Chelsea | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 23 |
| Manchester City | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 22 |
| Aston Villa | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 21 |
| Crystal Palace | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 20 |
| Brighton | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
| Sunderland | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
| Bournemouth | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | -1 | 19 |
| Tottenham | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 18 |
| Manchester United | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| Everton | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 18 |
If Everton win, other results could further shift the standings. Sunderland and Bournemouth face each other, and Manchester United take on Crystal Palace, meaning a big victory for Everton could see them climb as high as fourth, though realistically they might finish fifth or sixth depending on other outcomes.
Even a modest win could improve morale and help the team maintain momentum, which is crucial given the tight Premier League schedule approaching the festive period.
David Moyes will be hoping to take full advantage of Newcastle’s weakened squad, particularly in attack. With Trippier, Osula, and Wissa absent, the Magpies will need to rely heavily on their remaining players to create scoring opportunities.
For Everton, this represents a chance to continue a winning run, climb the table, and send a strong signal to the rest of the league that they are serious contenders for a European spot this season.
