Everton vs Newcastle United - Match Preview

By Tom Davidson / September 17, 2012

Team News Things are looking ominous for the Toon Army already with a side heavily depleted thanks to a whole host of injuries. Tim Krul picked up an elbow injury on International duty with the Netherlands, Geordie stalwart Steve Harper is likely to replace him. Whilst away with Argentina Fabricio Collocini picked up a hamstring strain and will be forced to watch from the sidelines; Mike Williamson will line up along side Steven Taylor. Cheick Tiote is also unlikely thanks to a calf strain picked up in the opening match against Tottenham. Who will deputize the Ivorian remains to be seen, with Pardew having a choice between James Perch, who has recovered from a neck problem, and new signing Gael Bigiramana who impressed when he came on against Aston Villa a fortnight ago. The woes don€™t stop there with full backs Danny Simpson (hamstring) and Ryan Taylor (ACL) both unavailable. Versatile new signing Vurnon Anita is likely to play right back. On top of all that manager Alan Pardew will be forced to watch the game from the stands as he starts serving his 2 match ban for pushing an official. So far this season Pardew has set his team out in a simple 4-4-2 formation and with the amount of injuries the Magpies have got don€™t expect Monday night€™s fixture to be any different. Hatem Ben Arfa has been Newcastle€™s star player in the first 3 games and Everton are well aware of what the Frenchman can do; being on the receiving end of a spectacular goal in Ben Arfa€™s debut for the Magpies. There is a small boost to Pardew€™s ranks with youngsters Sammy Ameobi and Shane Ferguson now both fit although a place for either in the first team is very unlikely. Darren Gibson is out injured for tonight€™s match; a big blow for the Toffees who are unbeaten when he€™s started. The Irishman is likely to be out until October and his absence for the visit of the Toon tonight is likely to mean Marouane Fellaini will drop deeper into midfield. This will be the Belgian€™s first game for Everton since his controversial comments on International duty; when he made it known to the Premier League big guns that he is willing to leave Everton either in January or the end of the season. Although he€™s escaped any official punishment, the comments were likely to have displeased David Moyes and the reaction (Man United and Chelsea are reportedly putting together bids already) could have unsettled the midfield powerhouse. Steven Piennar, re-signed from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, is a slight doubt after withdrawing from International duty with South Africa and Bryan Oviedo is still not eligable to play in the Premier League. Aside from that David Moyes has a fully-fit squad to choose from. Match Facts Everton have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 9 home games Everton have won 8 of their last 9 home Premier League games In their last 6 meetings Newcastle have won 2, Everton have won 2 and 2 have been drawn.