Newcastle v Everton Tip

This is a fixture that could be determined by two vital pieces of team news. Newcastle top scorer Demba Ba misses out to begin talks with Chelsea about a potential move to Stamford Bridge while Marouane Fellaini returns for Everton.

This all has significance in the first goalscorer market. Ba is still priced up as favourite by most bookies as news that he won’t be involved has only recently broken. By moving fast we can take advantage of this development by backing Fellaini at a best price of 15/2 with StanJames.

The Belgian international is Everton’s talisman and will arrive in the north-east fresh after serving a three-match suspension while everyone else struggled through the hectic Christmas programme. The 25-year-old has apologised for head-butting Ryan Shawcross and this is his first chance to make things up to his team-mates and the fans.

The 6ft 4in attacking midfielder has eight Premier League strikes already in 2012-13 and faces opponents who have shipped 11 goals in their last two outings. Significantly, Newcastle have also conceded more headed goals (11) than anyone else in the top flight this season.

Fellaini is a longer price than Jelavic (13/2 Boylesports) who has scored fewer goals in more matches this season. The Croatian is a little out-of-sorts after four matches without finding the net. With Ba absent and the Toon Army bound to be disheartened, Everton’s returning star is therefore the obvious pick.