Paul Merson drops ‘dangerous’ Newcastle United prediction
Stuart Jamieson
4 – 5 minutes
Newcastle United will be celebrating a return to Champions League football come 6pm on Sunday – if the latest Premier League predictions are anything to go by.
Eddie Howe leads his side into Sunday’s final game of the season against Everton knowing a win will seal a top five Premier League place, no matter what happens elsewhere. United are sweating on Alexander Isak’s fitness but remain confident of getting the job done against an Everton side with little to play for but pride.
As always, the Premier League pundits have made their predictions for this weekend’s games, with United legend Alan Shearer among those backing a home win. It’s confidence all-round . . . although there is the usual note of caution from a predictable source.
Alan Shearer
The Newcastle goalscoring legend told Betfair: “I think if you said to Newcastle at the beginning of the season, you’ve got one game to get into Champions League football, and it could be, well, it already is, the best season in my lifetime in terms of a trophy, they would have snapped your hand off. So, to have a trophy and to get into the Champions League would be amazing. That’s why I’m going go for a home win. I think the Geordies will roar their team on and Newcastle home win.”
Prediction: Newcastle win
Paul Merson
“This is a dangerous game for Newcastle because Everton are one of those teams that never lie down,” he told Sportskeeda. “No matter what kind of season they go through, Everton never roll over or make it easy for their opponents. If Alexander Isak is not fit to play this game, then it becomes a really tough task for Newcastle. Home advantage will count, but the longer it stays 0-0, Everton will sense more than just an outside chance to nick a win.
“A draw might be good enough for Newcastle to qualify for Champions League. But I don’t think they would want to leave it down to chance. All these teams want to win on Sunday and I think Newcastle will edge it.”
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Everton
Chris Sutton
Former Blackburn and Celtic striker Sutton wrote in his BBC predictions: “Newcastle are at home, and their superior goal difference means they know any sort of win will keep them in the Champions League places regardless of what Aston Villa do. I usually fancy Eddie Howe’s side to win when they are at St James’ Park but there are serious doubts over Alexander Isak’s fitness which is a real worry. I would have a different feeling if he was in the team.
“On top of that, Everton are an awkward team to break down, who also carry an attacking threat with Beto in such good form. So, I don’t think this will be straightforward at all. I am still backing the Magpies, but I would not be surprised if Everton nicked a point.”
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0
Alan Smith
Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal striker Alan Smith is also backing Newcastle to get the job done. He told BestBettingSites.co.uk: “They’ve had that year’s experience in the Champions League, which, when you go into your debut campaign, it can hit you like a sledgehammer in terms of the quality, and then recovering in time for the Premier League game at the weekend is a lot. You obviously need quite a deep squad, a deep, talented squad to do well.
“So that’s what Eddie Howe will be looking at: improving that squad, and hoping that he gets into the Champions League. They’ve won the first trophy, but not to get into the top five now, there’d be a tinge of disappointment in the season, even though they’ve won that first trophy in 70-odd years. The club is set up now for Champions League football, but they’ll feel they’re a little bit better equipped, having had that first year’s experience.”
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Everton
Mark Lawrenson
The former Liverpool defender told Paddy Power: “Like Palace it’s job done for Everton, they got the win in the final game at Goodison that they were so desperate for and there was a lot of emotion released last weekend. Like Villa, Newcastle are going to be so, so up for this. We do see some crazy scorelines on the last day sometimes but David Moyes will have them fairly organised. Newcastle will brush them aside and get into that top five.”
Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Everton
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Alan Shearer has just two words for Jacob Murphy after his sensational performance in Newcastle United win
Liam Brusby
3 – 4 minutes
Jacob Murphy scored a sensational goal as Newcastle United beat Crystal Palace 5-0 at St James’ Park.
It is now six straight wins in all competitions for the Magpies as they look to return to the Champions League.
Newcastle United moved up to third in the Premier League table thanks to the win, establishing a five-point gap to Chelsea in sixth.
The game was all but over in the first half after Jason Tindall’s side netted four times, including two in stoppage time. But Alexander Isak had to get in on the act to add Newcastle’s fifth of the evening.
12 goals in their last three game with just one conceded, means Newcastle have caught up to the likes of Manchester City’s goal difference. With the Premier League table still incredibly tight, goal difference could be a key factor in the final standings.
Jacob Murphy opened the scoring for Newcastle and bagged the assist for Fabian Schar’s goal on the stroke of half-time. The 30-year-old Murphy replicated Sandro Tonali’s brilliant goal against Brentford, but this time it was deliberate.
With all three points secured, Alan Shearer took to social media to send Murphy a message after his brilliant performance.
READ MORE – Bruno Guimaraes sends ‘very important’ message to Newcastle United fans after thumping Crystal Palace
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Murphy is having the best season of his career right now, and it shows. The winger is oozing with confidence, scoring eight goals and bagging 11 assists.
After the win, Murphy thanked former Newcastle player Matt Ritchie for teaching him his crossing technique. His influence was evident when Murphy put in a sensational ball from the byline to Schar, who nodded home.
With another Player of the Match performance secured, Murphy took to social media. His caption simply said “Juicy.”
The comments section was flooded with Newcastle fans tagging England’s social media account and emojis from Murphy’s teammates.
Joe Willock, who returned during the win after suffering with concussion, said “phenomenal” while Shearer commented “outstanding again” with four clapping emojis.
While he took the headlines for his performance, Murphy credited Nick Pope as Newcastle’s hero for saving a penalty with the score at 1-0.
Who is Jacob Murphy? The Newcastle United star who has transformed under Eddie Howe
Harvey Barnes calls for Jacob Murphy England call-up
Thomas Tuchel was in attendance for Newcastle’s win against Manchester United earlier in April, where Murphy bagged an assist. Fans will now be hoping he was had his eyes on Wednesday’s game as Murphy put the England boss on notice.
Dan Burn received his first England call-up under Tuchel. It would be seen as a surprise if he did not give Murphy the nod when he picks his England squad for the international friendlies in June.
Harvey Barnes was on the scoresheet for Newcastle after bagging a spectacular brace against Man United. The 27-year-old has made his own claim to be included in England’s next squad.
Despite that, Barnes rallied for Murphy to be picked for England, claiming he would even sign a petition to see his teammate play for the national team.
