As Newcastle United and Everton prepare for one another in a week-day clash this coming Thursday, the Blues will be without a critical defensive-brick wall, Mason Holgate.
Holgate was dealt with an unfortunate suspension after picking up two yellow cards this past weekend against Crystal Palace, ruling him out of the game against Newcastle.
Fortunately, in the contest against Holgate was suspended in, Everton was still able to walk away from Selhurst Park with a point due to a scoreless draw.
“He has kind of touched the ball but his foot has slid over the top of the ball,” said Everton Manager Sean Dyche. “I can see why the ref gives it but on another day you might get away with that one, but we didn’t.”
Currently, Everton sits at a record of 6-10-16, with 28 points on the season. That abysmal record places them at 18th in the Premier League table, which would relegate them if the season ended today.
The team is in dire need of victories down the stretch of the season, and an upset win against Newcastle United would do just that.
However, without Holgate in the lineup, that task because much tougher to overcome.
He has been an important part of the defense for the majority of the season, and losing him will only open up a hole on the backline for a crafty Magpie attack to take control of.
With Newcastle United coming off of a 6-1 beatdown of Tottenham Spurs, Everton needs to be ready for aggression and pressure out of the gates.
The last time these two teams took on one another came back on Oct. 19, when the Magpies took down the Blues, 1-0 in regulation.
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With the Magpies red-hot offensively, and the Blues struggling on both ends, the stage is set for the Magpies to build up a winning streak once again as the season dwindles to a close.