Two more games will take place on Thursday in the Premier League and bring down the curtain on what has been an enthralling set of midweek fixtures. First up at 7.30, Newcastle must go to Goodison Park to face Everton without goalkeeper Nick Pope, who is the latest on the Geordies ever growing injury list, while the London derby between Tottenham and West Ham has all the makings of a cracker at 8.15.
EVERTON v NEWCASTLE UNITED, 7.30
After all the talk of how a hostile Goodison atmosphere could help the Toffees in their first game post the controversial 10 points deduction when the hosted Manchester United recently, Sean Dyce’s side were blown out of the water in what was a deflating 0-3 defeat.
However, Everton showed good character when asked to dig in deep during a hard fought 0-1 at the notoriously difficult County Ground against Nottingham Forest. That was Everton’s fourth win in their last six games in all comps, a reminder that away from all the off-field drama, the Merseysiders have been going along ok recently.
Hard fought isn’t a term I’d use to describe Newcastle’s win against Manchester United on Saturday night, the only thing Newcastle had difficulty with was their finishing as they dominated a dour Man United. Newcastle’s effort in Paris days earlier was heroic but between the two games Eddie Howe has only been able to make a single substitution due to the lack of experienced bodies on his bench currently.
The Toon looked leggy when they were turned over at Bournemouth a few weeks ago and there is a fear a similar performance could reappear here given the grueling fixture list combined with the ongoing injury woes.
Newcastle completed the double over tonight’s opponents last season but Everton have a strong recent home record in this fixture with the Toffees winning 6 of their last 11 home games against Newcastle.
VERDICT: Everton Draw No Bet (11/10).
TOTTENHAM v WEST HAM UNITED, 8.15 – DOUBLE THE ODDS FIRST GOALSCORER
A clash of arguably the most enjoyable team in the league to watch this season in Spurs and a West Ham team who have been accused of being a little bit dull in their approach to the beautiful game. However, this is a fixture that rarely disappoints and given how the hosts like to play the game under their new boss, this could cap off what has been a week filled with goals and big headlines.
Tottenham were superb in the draw with Man City last time but similarly to Newcastle they are ravaged with injuries at present. Spurs of course, do not have to contend with European duties this season which may be a blessing while last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League winners are on an excellent run of form even if grumbles over David Moyes style of play continue to linger.
Spurs only have one way of playing this season and that’s on the front foot with the North Londoners last five league games seeing both teams score and 3+ match goals feature.
West Ham’s record against the top-six this season is poor (D1, L3) but the Hammers did score in all those games so that sets us up for a potential humdinger.
The Irons are likely to sit in deep and look to exploit that now famous Tottenham defensive highline on the counter attack and while Spurs are without a host of key players, Michael Antonio’s absence is a huge blow for West Ham given his pace.
In saying that, Jarrod Bowen’s remarkable form this season continues with the Englishman netting 8 league goals in 13 appearances.
Son continues to grow since stepping up to the plate as Spurs skipper following Harry Kane’s departure with the South Korean bagging his ninth of the season in the draw with City.
West Ham have lost 10 of their last 11 away London derbies and have been beaten on each of their last three visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
I fancy Spurs just to edge this with the home crowd behind them and confidence high following the City game but this could be another crazy Premier League tie.
VERDICT: Tottenham win & BTTS (2/1)
- PRICE BOOST OF INTEREST: Tottenham win & over 3.5 match goals, was 9/4, now 11/4