Michael Owen believes Everton will overcome Newcastle United when hosting them at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
The retired forward shared that he thought the Toffees would return to winning ways after losing to Liverpool despite Rafa Benitez sensing that his side could seize an opportunity to snatch a shock result.
Owen then added that he expected Toffees winger Ademola Lookman to finally be given free reign to excel by being handed a Premier League start by Marco Silva.
“Everton have won their last five in the PL against Newcastle without conceding a goal, but Marco Silva must make sure his side are over their derby day blues when the Magpies visit Goodison,” wrote Owen for BetVictor.
“Everton have made great strides under Silva so far this season, but they gave their all at Anfield on Sunday and Rafa Benitez may sense the opportunity for a shock.
“That said I expect Ademola Lookman to finally be given his head and a PL start by Silva and I expect Everton to return to winning ways.”
OPINION
Lookman has not started a Premier League game all season for the Toffees despite looking a handful in his cameo appearances. The winger who has blistering pace and tricky feet has featured eight times in the league so far and has to make do with trying to make the most of his minutes. Given that Lookman looked full of life during the Merseyside Derby after being brought on, Owen is probably right to expect to see him rewarded. This is bad news for the Magpies as the Toffees speedster is not only a talented player who can hurt them, he’ll be extra motivated to prove why he should be a starter at Goodison Park. Hopefully Benitez has a way to contain the threat of Lookman if the 21-year-old is deployed from the opening whistle as that could see the Magpies getting a decent result, despite Owen’s prediction.The Magpies, just like the Toffees, are looking to bounce back from their defeat at the weekend in the best possible way.
