Newcastle United welcome Everton to St James’ Park this week hoping to end a torrid run of form which has seen just one point collected from a possible 21.

The Toffees, now under the management of Sam Allardyce , are looking for their fourth win in five games and come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw in the Merseyside Derby.

The Magpies meanwhile suffered late heartbreak as Leicester City scored a late winner in Saturday’s game to run out 3-2 winners.

With the Christmas period well and truly upon us, Rafa Benitez knows that his side need a win sooner rather than later to boost the points tally and spirit of the camp.

Here’s the predictions from TV pundits and Chronicle Live.

Mark Lawrenson (BBC)

You have got to give Everton credit for the way they stuck at it in Sunday’s Merseyside derby and ended up getting the draw that they came to Anfield for.

When I was watching Newcastle’s defeat by Leicester, I sat there thinking which players from Newcastle’s starting XI would get into Leicester’s team.

The answer was none of them would, which tells you a lot about what Magpies boss Rafa Benitez is up against there.

With the run that Newcastle are on, with just one point from their past seven games, getting anything from this game would represent a bit of progress.

Everton have already achieved that since Sam Allardyce arrived at the end of November, on the back of a 4-0 win over a very poor West Ham side in David Unsworth’s final game as caretaker.

The Toffees are unbeaten in four matches now in all competitions, and will have been lifted further by the way they got their point against Liverpool.

Prediction: 1-1

Paul Merson (Sky Sports)

Newcastle are in a bad way, losing six out of the last seven. This will be a draw, and I expect Everton to sit back a bit. Newcastle really have to go for it, but they will leave themselves open at the back like they did against Leicester, but Everton are nowhere near as good on the counter as Leicester. I cannot separate these two.

Prediction: 1-1

Michael Owen (Bet Victor)

“Newcastle don’t have the best of records against Everton losing six of their last seven games and the Magpies have only picked up one point from their last seven league games.

“Rafa Benitez will have been disappointed to concede three at home to a good Leicester side at the weekend and they must improve defensively if they don’t want to get embroiled in a relegation battle.

“That said Everton were poor at Anfield despite picking up a valuable point on Sunday and Benitez has never lost a home PL game against the Blues.

“I expect that run to continue midweek although both sides may have to settle for a point.

Prediction: draw


Lee Ryder (Chronicle Live)

I definitely expect Newcastle to get on the score sheet like they have in recent games but whether they can hold on to a lead is up for debate.Perhaps a home point is on the cards as Newcastle look to stop the rot.


Prediction: 1-1

Chris Waugh (Chronicle Live)

I fully expect Sam Allardyce to try and frustrate Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United at St James' Park, and adopt a caution-first approach. That will mean the Magpies must remain patient and try to break down the opposition, something which they struggled to do on occasion last season. In truth, Newcastle need a win - but a draw would at least add to their points tally before they travel to Arsenal on Saturday.

Prediction 1-1


Andrew Musgrove (Chronicle Live)

Newcastle are in need of three points and having watched Everton on Sunday against Liverpool - Rafa Benitez will have been encouraged that they can take the game to the Toffees. I felt Everton, but for the goal they scored, were shocking against Liverpool and were lucky to come away with a point. They looked void of ideas and defensively vulnerable but that many people may describe Newcastle in the same manner. United need three points on Wednesday and I'm backing them to get them.

Prediction: 2-1

Sean McCormick (Chronicle Live)

Newcastle need to stop the rot and quickly and they won't get a better chance than against this Everton side at St James' Park. Anyone who watched the Toffees against Liverpool on Sunday, will know that they will come to Tyneside and set up defensively to frustrate Rafa Benitez's side. If the Magpies can grab an early goal like they did on Saturday, it'll throw Everton's game plan out of the window. Hopefully if Jamaal Lascelles is recalled - the defence can hold out and get the win.

Prediction: 2-1