Newcastle United must go with this starting eleven against Everton

The objective for Newcastle United against Everton at Goodison Park is plain and simple: win. Achieving that goal is much easier said than done, but a “back against the wall” mentality is needed now more than ever.

Everton are enjoying a good run of form having won three of their last five games, and a win on Saturday would send them into the top four, at least temporarily. Newcastle United still have some breathing room between them and the bottom three, but that cushion has shrunk to six points and 18th-placed Fulham have a game in hand.

The Magpies deserved to take a point against Leeds United, but the lack of confrontational defending led to yet another defeat. The performance was much more encouraging though as Newcastle United created a season-high 22 chances, however, the Toon only started to open up once Allan Saint-Maximin was introduced in the second half.

Everton will present Newcastle United with a unique challenge, but Steve Bruce needs to go all out. That being said, here is the lineup and formation that is capable of getting the job done against Carlo Ancelotti’s men for the second time this season.

Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser, and Miguel Almiron are must-starts for Newcastle United on Saturday.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Bruce needs to make the bold move of benching Karl Darlow and starting Martin Dubravka. The Slovakian is the master of clean sheets and that is what Newcastle United desperately need.

The back line should still see Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar start in the middle, and Jacob Murphy’s pace will be needed at left wing-back, but Javier Manquillo needs to start on the opposite wing.

The two central midfielders should consist of Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden. This duo provides a good balance of one player staying ahead to orchestrate attacks and one player sitting back to disrupt counters on the other end. Shelvey put in a good shift against Leeds United and fans can only hope that he is turning the corner.

The trio ahead of them is a no-brainer at this point. Bruce knows he needs to start Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser, and Miguel Almiron together in the final third. This trio forces the opposition to keep bodies back, and their dynamic style of play will lead to some goals.

Last, but certainly not least, is Callum Wilson. The striker has gone cold for Newcastle United, but the return of Allan Saint-Maximin should see the England international return to his scoring ways. Wilson scored a brace against Everton at St. James’ Park and he will be motivated to emulate that form.

Recap

Dubravka; Murphy, Lascelles, Schar, Manquillo; Shelvey, Hayden; Fraser, Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Wilson.