Newcastle United v Everton

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse is a major doubt after limping off with a groin problem against Aston Villa last weekend.

Jamaal Lascelles is back in training after a hamstring injury but Saturday's game could come too soon for him.

Everton's James McCarthy, Bryan Oviedo, Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar will not be fit for Boxing Day but could feature over the festive period.

Steven Naismith has overcome an ankle injury and is available for selection.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Martin Fisher: "Just when Newcastle looked to have turned a corner with those impressive wins over Liverpool and Tottenham they come crashing back to reality with last week's draw at home to hapless Aston Villa.

"The Toon are still too close to the relegation zone for comfort. In fact, the last time they were this low in the table on Christmas Day was in 1988 and they went down that season.

"Everton's frustrating form is still too patchy for them to kick on. Far too many draws mean they remain cast as mid-table also-rans.

"I can't see past a 1-1 scoreline in this game - with Romelu Lukaku scoring again, naturally."

Twitter: @mfisherfootball 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren: "Everton are a good team with good players. There's a great balance to their team.

"[Roberto] Martinez has done a terrific job the two or three years he's been there and they're a strong, strong team. Everton are quite capable of not only getting into the top 10 but definitely challenging for the Europa League."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez on Romelu Lukaku: "For Romelu to be hitting incredible records and landmarks for this football club is a remarkable achievement.

"People like Dixie Dean, Bob Latchford, Dave Hickson, whose records he could match, they are giants in this club, and to be alongside them shows just how much he has progressed.

"But it doesn't really matter if he achieves records or not. What is important is he takes his incredible scoring form into the second half of the season and remains consistent in helping us achieve our aims."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Everton, for the ability they have got, are underachieving. They have some real quality in that side, look really good on the ball and have got it right going forward.

But individually and collectively they need to improve defensively.

Lawro's full prediction v SAM the super-computer

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in ourPredictor game.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Newcastle have lost four of the last five meetings. However, the Magpies' sole victory in that run came in this fixture last season.
• The teams have met four times previously on Boxing Day, with Newcastle winning twice and Everton once.
• But the Toffees won 4-0 in the last meeting on 26 December, at St James' Park in 1986.

Newcastle United

• Newcastle are unbeaten in three Premier League games (W2, D1), their best run since February.
• They have lost just one of their last six league games at home (W2, D3) - against league leaders Leicester.
• Newcastle have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
• Going into Saturday's fixtures, only Sunderland have conceded more goals than Newcastle in this season's top flight.
• Papiss Cisse has scored in all three of his Premier League appearances on Boxing Day (2012 and 2014 v Manchester United, and 2013 v Stoke).

Everton

• Everton have drawn four of their last six Premier League matches (W1, L1) and earned a point from each of their last three away games.
• Only Leicester and Manchester City have scored more goals than Everton's tally of 31 in this season's top flight.
• The Toffees have lost just two of their last eight Premier League matches played on Boxing Day (W3, D3).
• Romelu Lukaku has scored in eight successive matches in all competitions, seven of which have been Premier League fixtures. He has had a hand in nine goals in six Premier League appearances against Newcastle (five goals, four assists).
• The last player to score in nine successive games for Everton was Dixie Dean in October 1927.