'Massive' - Pennant and O'Hara disagree on Everton v Newcastle prediction live on talkSPORT

Jamie O’Hara and Jermaine Pennant are at odds over the result on Saturday as Everton take on Newcastle United at Goodison Park.

The duo disagreed on the outcome of the weekend’s match while on the talkSPORT Sports Bar on Thursday night [3 October, 23:27], as former Liverpool winger Pennant backed a Toffees win while O’Hara predicted a draw.

Everton have lost five of their last eight meetings with the Magpies, but won 3-0 last season on home turf in a second-half whitewash.

O’Hara said: “[It’s a] tricky one to predict because Everton are alright … I’m gonna go 1-1. Look, I think it’s a tough game. Everton are fighting for their lives, they can score goals, Dwight McNeil. They’ve got something about them, it could even be 2-2 but I think a draw, 1-1.”

Pennant responded: “I’m gonna go 1-0 Everton, I think Newcastle away from home are not that great. The introduction of Jarrad Branthwaite coming back… massive, massive defender for them, makes a lot of difference to them, so I’m going to say 1-0.”

Everton on a positive note after Crystal Palace win

Both sides secured positive results last weekend heading into the Saturday teatime encounter on Merseyside as Everton finally grabbed their first win against Crystal Palace – Newcastle managing a point against champions Manchester City.

Eddie Howe’s side also did enough to progress to the next round of the Carabao Cup in midweek, coming out on top 1-0 over AFC Wimbledon with a rotated line-up.

The Toffees actually face a nervous wait on Branthwaite, whose presence has proven integral to the form of Sean Dyche’s side as his return helped bring that elusive first league win – he has been suggested as a “serious doubt” as he appears to have sustained a thigh problem [The Guardian, 3 October].

Meetings with Newcastle are always a pantomime occasion for Jordan Pickford, too, given his Sunderland connections and involvement with the crowd down the years – though this time he’ll have the majority of the stadium on his own side.

Had the Blues been approaching this game still awaiting their maiden victory of the season there would be far less confidence surrounding the place, but Finch Farm has been optimistic this week of nabbing all three points – the doubts over Branthwaite however do sour the mood slightly.

In other Everton news, Asmir Begovic slams those in the media criticising goalkeepers.

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