Newcastle United have another away day, this time at the Hill Dickinson stadium to play Everton in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Newcastle have already dispatched West Bromwich Albion and Millwall, while Everton have beaten Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers to reach this round.

There are likely to be changes for both sides, but what can we expect to see?

Key Battles

Jack Grealish v Amar Dedić

Jack Grealish has appeared in all of Everton’s games so far since moving back to Merseyside on loan from Manchester City, but his impact has been limited. He has only started three of his seven appearances and registered no goals or assists.

Could this be the game that kickstarts his season? He can produce a bit of magic when needed, so you can never count him out. But Dedić played superbly when he came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace and added to his assist haul.

Dedić likes to push up the field, which is where Grealish could catch him out if he gets in behind, but Dedić has also proved his worth defensively this season, too. An interesting battle to watch.

Thierno Barry v Malick Thiaw

It is difficult to know what changes Matthias Jaissle will make, but I would be surprised if he sticks with Dan Burn and Fabian Schär in the centre of defence two games in a row. Thiaw came on against Palace, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he deputises for one of them.

Barry is tall and strong, so Thiaw will need the help of whoever is alongside him to contain the Frenchman. Barry is inconsistent, though, so it depends which version of him turns up as to how easy a night it will be for Thiaw and the rest of the Newcastle defence.

The Tactical Battle

This is very much youth versus experience. David Moyes is doing well with a paper-thin squad after Everton’s terrible transfer window, but he is limited with how many changes he can make.

Moyes’ teams are disciplined and organised, particularly defensively, but they like to get the ball quickly up the pitch when attacking.

However, Everton’s defence could struggle against Newcastle’s pacy attack and be forced into playing long balls so their forwards can take advantage of the acres of space between Newcastle’s midfield and defence.

Form Guide

The overall form of both teams is quite similar – Newcastle have won three and lost three of their previous six games in all competitions, while the Toffees have won two, drawn two, and lost two.

Their previous meeting in the Carabao Cup was back in 2002, and it finished 3-3, with Everton winning the penalty shootout.

Predicted Newcastle XI

Horníček, Hall, Burn, Thiaw, Dedić, Nico, Joelinton, Barnes, Murphy, Wissa, Osula

Score Prediction

Everton 1-1 Newcastle United

(Newcastle to win on penalties)

I have a horrible feeling that this game will go to penalties, but the same thing happened in the second round in 2024 against Nottingham Forest, and we all know how the tournament ended that season…