Michael Owen has predicted Newcastle United and Everton to share the points when two sides clash at St James Park on Saturday.
The former Magpies forward shared that he thought Rafa Benitez’s side were improving but highlighted the Toffees’ impressive record at St James Park.
Owen shared that when you take everything into account, he feels it will be a draw between the two sides but that it does promise to be an open entertaining encounter.
“Everton have won four of their last five away league games at Newcastle but United have won their last four home PL games by an aggregate score of 9-1,” wrote Owen for BetVictor.
“I feel it will be honours even, however, at St James’ Park.
“Everton have kept a clean sheet in their last couple of league games and won two of their last three on the road, but this is an improving Magpies’ side – despite a below par performance at the City of London Stadium last weekend – although they may have to settle for a point from what promises to be an open entertaining encounter.”
OPINION
Both Newcastle United and Everton have shown signs of life in recent weeks and a draw does seem like a predictable result. The Magpies may have got brushed aside by West Ham in their last outing, but they previously impressed against Wolves, Huddersfield Town and Burnley. You feel that Benitez’s side are more than capable of causing the Toffees’ problems as a result, as long as the Hammers’ result doesn’t play on their mind. As for the Toffees they impressed against Liverpool last weekend in order to battle their way to a point. While it wasn’t the most enthralling Merseyside derby of all time, it would have felt like a win to the Toffees’ squad due to how so many sides have been defeated by Liverpool this season. Marco Silva should be able to use the momentum from the 0-0 draw with the Reds, in order to submit a performance that will not see them defeated by the Magpies.