Big Midweek: Newcastle v Everton, Man Utd, Rodgers, Coutinho

It’s a massive midweek for the new boys involved at St James’ Park, while Brendan Rodgers and Ralf Rangnick both expect – and need – a reaction…

Game to watch – Newcastle v Everton

A relegation battle that really ought not to be takes place at St James’ Park on Tuesday night, though the mood around both Newcastle and Everton is a lot lighter than it has been, despite their perilous positions in the table.

Recognising the danger, both clubs got busy last week, with Newcastle and Everton both making three Deadline Day signings. Yes, we are counting Frank Lampard.

This meeting at St James’ Park could see five debuts on the pitch and one (of sorts) on the bench. Lampard, unable to call upon cup-tied Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli, took charge of Saturday’s 4-1 win over Brentford in the FA Cup, a competition that Everton should regard as a realistic chance of ending their 27-year trophy drought. But the new boss knows he will be quickly judged in the Premier League, with the Toffees five places from the bottom and second-from-bottom Newcastle eyeing the opportunity to rein them in to within a point if there’s a home win at St James’ Park.

The place will be rocking again with Eddie Howe set to select a trio of new Magpies, with Bruno Guimaraes the leading name among them. This will be the first sight of the post-January Newcastle after a window that was expected to be transformative for the prospects of the Toon. It really had to be. Tuesday will offer a glimpse of whether five signings was enough for either side.

Team to watch – Manchester United

The United circus rolls into Burnley on Tuesday night, when Ralf Rangnick will somehow have to rouse a response from his rabble in the wake of their latest embarrassment last