Everton Shirt Newcastle Shirt Newcastle enter the game with Everton hoping to avoid a fourth defeat in their last six games in all competitions. In the last fortnight the Magpies have suffered defeat against Chelsea twice, in the Carling Cup and the Premiership, as well as defeat last Saturday to Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. Things are only getting worse though with a trip to Goodison Park on Saturday and the visit of Manchester United also on the horizon. With Kieron Dyer and Obafemi Martins going through their best form of the season, can the Toon succeed?

Glenn Roeder is aware that his side must continue to collect points or they may see themselves fall back into the relegation scrap that they fought so hard these past few weeks to get out of. With injuries piling up and games coming thick and fast, it’s going to be tough for United but the current crop of players must stand up and be counted in the next few weeks.

If they can pick up a win at Goodison Park and steal a result from the current Premiership leaders at St James Park on New Years Day, Newcastle could see themselves entering January 2007 back where they belong; in the top half of the Premiership table.

» Squads

Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Weir, Naysmith, Osman, Carsley, Davies, Arteta, van der Meyde, McFadden, Johnson, Beattie, Vaughan, Wright, Stubbs, Anichebe.

Newcastle (from): Given, Srnicek, Krul, Solano, Edgar, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Parker, Butt, Emre, Milner, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi, Carroll.

» Injuries and Suspensions

Nolberto Solano Newcastle’s Nolberto Solano could still make the clash at Goodison Park, returning to the Right Back position that he has made his own over these past few weeks. The Peruvian international had been suffering from a groin strain but he faces a late fitness test which means he could still return to the starting lineup

The news is similar for super-keeper Shay Given who is also suffering from a groin problem but has not been ruled out of the clash. Damien Duff (knee) and Celestine Babayaro (hamstring) however will both miss out yet again due to their respective injuries.

Everton injury news is still to follow. Tim Cahill will definitely sit out with medial knee ligament damage that will see him sideline until January. It is similar with Alessandro Pistone who will not return until the New Year due to Achilles problems. Patrick Boyle (stressed fractured back) and Tony Hibbert (groin) still don’t have definite return dates.

» Pre-Match Views

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder:

Glenn Roeder On Solano and Given Making the Starting Lineup:

“Nobby came back into training on Thursday and we were going to have another look at him on Friday.

“Depending on how he comes through that will determine whether he’s fit enough for the game at Goodison Park or whether we have to wait a couple of days more and have him back for the New Year’s Day game with Manchester United.

“Shay has already improved quicker than we thought. He has a reputation for recovering quickly.

“It’s still a big ask for him to make the game against Everton, although he is trying to.

“If not, then he has a great chance of being fit for the Manchester United game.”

On Peter Crouch:

“Someone knows more than I do. As far as I am concerned, there has not been a deal even spoken about,”

“At this moment in time, it is pure speculation and I would be surprised if he ended up becoming a Newcastle player.”

On Injured Defenders:

“To be perfectly honest I cannot put a comeback date on Moore, Bramble, Bernard or Carr,”

“Moore has broken down and this is probably due to all the previous hamstring injuries he has suffered in his career.

“Babayaro has had a scan on his hamstring injury and it revealed that there is a grade one tear which will keep him out for two or three weeks.

“Bramble is only back in very light training - and I mean very light - and we don’t really know when he will be back. The same applies to Bernard, who is having an operation on his hip.

“And as far as Carr is concerned, he is keeping physically fit, but there is still bruising on his foot and he cannot strike a ball. His return is open-ended - it could be tomorrow or weeks.”

Everton Manager David Moyes:

On Newcastle:

“I thought we did very well at Newcastle, and we will have to play very well at Goodison if we are going to get the three points.

“Newcastle have improved from the start of the season, and they have got players back in form and players back from injury so it is probably a much better Newcastle team than we played earlier in the season.”

“We have got to try and take three points from the next game which I think will be very tough. Hopefully we will play as well as we have been doing and, with a little bit of luck, maybe we will get the three points.”

On Everton’s Formation:

“We started with three forwards, with James McFadden behind Victor and Andy Johnson. We kept trying to find ways to win the game but it was one of those days where their defenders played very well.

“I’m not sure if that is the way we will play against Newcastle, but the players who came in - none of them have played badly.”

» What the Pundits Say

BBC Sport’s Mark Lawrenson:

I think Everton will win this. Newcastle had a really good run of 12 games in which they only lost to Chelsea and they started to pose a real threat up front.

But playing Everton away is a really tough fixture - especially on the back of the Boxing Day defeat to Bolton.

Prediction: 2-0

SkySports.com:

A draw the likely outcome between two similarly matched teams. Player to watch: Obafemi Martins

Prediction: 1-1

» Predicted Lineup

Shay Given

Nolberto Solano
Peter Ramage
Steven Taylor
Paul Huntington

James Milner
Nicky Butt
Scott Parker
Emre

Obafemi Martins
Kieron Dyer

» Head2Head

In the League:

Played: 145
Newcastle Wins: 59
Draws: 31
Everton Wins: 55

In the FA Cup:

Played: 5
Newcastle Wins: 2
Draws: 0
Everton Wins: 3

In the League Cup:

Played: 1
Newcastle Wins: 0
Draws: 1
Everton Wins: 0

Other:

Played: 1
Newcastle Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Everton Wins: 1

» Prediction

I think Newcastle will win this and win it comfortably. We are due a big performance away from home and I can see us bring in the New Year with a win. 3-1 Newcastle with goals from Martins and Dyer (x2).

As always you can have YOUR say below. Howay the Lads and enjoy your New Year!