Newcastle vs Everton: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 28 February 2026
One of the matches of the 28th round of the English Premier League will take place on Saturday at St. James' Park in Newcastle, where Newcastle United hosts Everton. Both teams sit in the middle of the table and retain a theoretical chance to close in on the European spots, so this head-to-head clash takes on strategic importance. I'm backing a bet on goals in this encounter.
- Also read: Leeds United vs Manchester City: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 28 February 2026
Match preview
Newcastle are going through a mixed spell. On the one hand, in February the team racked up four wins in their last five matches across all competitions and stormed into the next round of the Champions League, thrashing PSV 3-0. On the other, they've managed just one Premier League win in their last six outings (against Tottenham, 2-1), dropping points against Wolves (0-0), Aston Villa (0-2), and Brentford (2-3), which has seriously dented their position in the table.
Another complication is the defensive injury crisis: Schär and Krafth are sidelined, Livramento is only just returning, while Miley and Bruno Guimarães are doubtful. Still, the Magpies have traditionally been much stronger at home, collecting nearly twice as many points at St. James' Park as on the road. For Eddie Howe, the key now is not so much flair as restoring pragmatism and reliability in these crucial six-pointers.
Everton come into this fixture on the back of two consecutive defeats – to Bournemouth (1-2), where discipline let them down, and Manchester United (0-1), where they conceded late. Before that, the Toffees enjoyed a five-game unbeaten run and even managed to leapfrog Newcastle in the standings, but the mid-table is so tight that every setback sends you tumbling down the pecking order.
The main issue for Everton is limited attacking firepower: just 29 goals this season, and they've scored more than once in only one of their last eight matches. On the plus side, their squad is almost at full strength – only Jack Grealish is unavailable – so the coaching staff can field their optimal lineup without needing a major rotation. In such a tightly-contested battle, expect a focus on organized defending and a cautious, counter-attacking approach.
Probable lineups
- Newcastle: Pope, Hall, Burn, Thiaw, Trippier, Joelinton, Tonali, Barnes, Woltemade, Elanga, Gordon.
- Everton: Pickford, Garner, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Gueye, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong, Barry.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Everton have avoided defeat in four of the last five head-to-head meetings with Newcastle.
- Five of the last eight encounters between these sides have seen under 2.5 goals.
- Newcastle have managed just one win in their last six Premier League matches.
Prediction
This promises to be a tight and tactically cagey contest, with the battle for the midfield taking center stage. Newcastle need a response to their recent league setbacks and, backed by the St. James' Park crowd, will look to take the initiative. But Everton are typically a tricky opponent in these scenarios. Nevertheless, due to their quality and home advantage, the Magpies are slight favorites. My recommended bet is on "Both teams to score" – this wager has landed in five of Newcastle's last seven home games.
