Only one point separates Everton and Newcastle going into Saturday’s clash at St James’ Park. This is a huge game in the race for European soccer between two sides who believe that is where they belong.
While it remains to be seen how many places the Premier League are guaranteed in European competitions next season, both clubs hope that seventh should at least gain them entry into the Conference League.
European soccer would arguably be a bigger deal for Everton, who have not done so since the 2017/18 season.
For Newcastle, meanwhile, the Conference League would be seen as something of a disappointment for a team that has grown fond of playing in Europe’s premier competition: the Champions League. After their demolition of Qarabağ in the play-off round, they have their sights set firmly on a huge clash with Barcelona in the Round of 16.
Newcastle Must Not Lose Focus
They certainly cannot afford to get ahead of themselves, however. While qualifying for the Champions League again looks a long shot at this point, unless they manage to win it, making one of UEFA’s less glamorous competitions would still be a whole lot better than missing out altogether.
Their bid to secure another season of European soccer starts with Newcastle getting their “rhythm back” at home, according to boss Eddie Howe.
“Hopefully now we can build some rhythm and get a good feeling back at our home ground, that’s so important for us,” Howe said. “It’s a big game for us. I think Everton have done really well on their travels this year. They’re a really tough team to beat. From their perspective, their away form has been really good. Especially defensively, they’ve been very, very strong and we know historically David’s teams are very difficult to score against so it’s a difficult game for us.”
Newcastle’s mixed campaign so far means there is still an air of uncertainty around what fans can expect to see when they watch their team.
Their home defeat to Brentford earlier this month was one of the low points of their season, and in hindsight could prove costly given that they are the side which currently occupies that seventh spot.
A Chance to Get Back On Track
The clash with Everton, then, is a chance to right some of those wrongs and prove their European credentials.
But as Howe outlined, he knows to expect a fiercely competitive battle when his side take to the pitch, as shown in Moyes’ rallying cry before the game.
“We’re not ready to give up our ambition to make Europe,” the Everton boss said. “We’ll keep going for it – why wouldn’t we?”
Moyes has an impressive history in European competitions, winning the Conference League with West Ham and guiding Everton into the Champions League way back in his first spell in charge of the club.
He would no doubt relish the chance to have another go in Europe, and after years of struggles at Everton, it would certainly be very welcomed by Toffees supporters.
