Eddie Howe makes Everton versus Newcastle United prediction amid Jamie Carragher’s huge claim

Eddie Howe is expecting a really strong atmosphere from the Goodison Park-faithful in what Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher labelled as their biggest game in 20 years.

Newcastle United head to Goodison Park nine points above the Premier League relegation zone and could take another giant step towards survival with three points.

Everton, meanwhile, sit outside of the drop zone on goal difference only having won just one of their last 11 league games with Frank Lampard’s appointment yet to have the desired effect.

‘Everton’s biggest game for 20 years’

Following the Toffees’ 1-0 home defeat to Wolves on Sunday afternoon, Carragher summed up the importance of the game for the hosts. He said: “I felt Goodison, and playing at home, was the only way they can stay up.

“But because they have now lost the first one, the Newcastle one feels almost like their biggest game for 20 years, when they stayed up on the final day against Coventry in 1998.

“It almost feels like that type of game because I don’t think Evertonians actually believe they are going to stay up, and if they don’t win at home, they’ve got no faith in getting anything away from home

“Everton’s fixtures are horrific, certainly the last five or six, and that’s why playing Newcastle on Thursday feels absolutely huge for the football club.”

What Eddie Howe said

United’s head coach said: “I’m sure it’ll be a very big occasion and we have to be fully prepared for what will be a really good atmosphere.

“I think there will be a lot of emotion in the game that we’ll need to handle ourselves and control our start to the game and try to impose ourselves as we have in this spell of away games. I’ve been really impressed with how we’ve conducted ourselves.

“It’s going to be a severe test because Everton have a really good squad of players and I really admire Frank (Lampard) and the work he’s doing so we’re going to have to be at our best.”

Asked about Carragher’s comments, Howe said: “Every team has games to play and nothing will be decided on this game.

“We know it’s an important game for us and we’re not concerned about Everton and their situation. That is for Frank to discuss.

“For me, we need to bounce back from the defeat against Chelsea although there were positives, we were disappointed to lose so it’s about getting a good reaction to that disappointment and making sure we continue our good performances because the lads, on the road, the last few games have been really, really good and we need to carry on with those types of performances.”