Newcastle United: A preview of the club’s April fixtures

April 23rd: Everton (Away)

Currently sitting in ninth place, Sam Allardyce’s side have been unremarkable since the ex-England manager was appointed in November. Winning three of their last five games, Everton are a much better side at Goodison Park than away from home, and this may prove Newcastle’s undoing with the quality of the Everton team.

A positive note for the Toon, however, is that Allardyce was appointed to secure Premier League survival, and now that it has been achieved, there will be doubts whether he can motivate his side to play 100% when there is nothing left to play for.

In unusual fashion, there has been three red cards awarded in Everton’s last three games – two for their opponents and one for captain Ashley Williams in a 2-1 loss to Burnley on March 3rd. Newcastle will have to keep their composure if they are to leave Merseyside with three crucial points, something which Jonjo Shelvey failed to do in the December reverse fixture as he was sent off in the 94th minute (Newcastle lost 1-0).

Benitez will know better than most that Everton have been poor in many of their matches this season, and even when they win they often look disjointed and incoherent. Facing Manchester City, Liverpool and an improving Swansea City before Newcastle, Everton could well be in poor form for this fixture, and the Goodison Park crowd has shown displeasure in recent weeks in their side’s abject performances.

Players such as Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney are capable of winning games on their own for Everton, but Newcastle would do well not to show too much respect tactically towards Everton. If Benitez can prepare a game plan and mistakes are limited, Toon fans should trust their side to at least draw at Goodison Park in April, and perhaps even scrape a victory in what will likely be a game devoid of quality.

Prediction: 0-0 draw