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Paul Merson predicts Newcastle v Everton
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has delivered his prediction for the Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Everton at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
Newcastle are without a win in their last seven matches and face an Everton side who have hit a spell of good form under their new manager Sam Allardyce.
The Toffees are now unbeaten in the their last four matches since Allardyce arrived at Goodison Park, having only won one of their previous 12 matches before, under Ronald Koeman and caretaker manager David Unsworth.
Meanwhile Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle are in 16th place in the Premier League table, just two points above the relegation zone, after the 3-2 defeat to Leicester at the weekend.
“Newcastle are in a bad way, losing six out of the last seven. This will be a draw, and I expect Everton to sit back a bit,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Newcastle really have to go for it, but they will leave themselves open at the back like they did against Leicester, but Everton are nowhere near as good on the counter as Leicester. I cannot separate these two.”
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Merson believes Newcastle have to take the game to Everton, as they did against Leciester at St James’ Park in Saturday’s late-kick.
Newcastle took the lead after four minutes through much-criticised Joselu, but conceded two goals either side of half-time from Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray.
The Magpies equalised through Dwight Gayle but Leicester won it late on after an unfortunate own goal by Ayoze Perez.
Everton meanwhile go in to the game after snatching a late 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday. They were dominated for much of the game but a late penalty by Wayne Rooney saw them take an unlikely point.
In other Newcastle news, Phil Neville has this to say about the club on Match of the Day.
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