My hunch is that Alexander Isak will start against Everton – Massive final Newcastle match of season | OneFootball

Alexander Isak was conspicuous by his absence on Sunday.

After much speculation about who would and wouldn’t be available for the Arsenal match, there was just that one surprise change to the eleven who had started in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea, Callum Wilson coming into the team.

Alexander Isak was missing altogether from the matchday squad, a ‘minor groin issue’ had caused the striker to miss the defeat to Arsenal.

As United dominated the first half and had five efforts on target in just the opening 17 minutes, Newcastle fans and no doubt Eddie Howe as well, left wondering would the outcome have been different if Isak had been on the pitch.

Nick Pope making one massive save with a superb reflex stop from a header, but other than that, no notable saves needed apart from the Declan Rice strike which Pope had no chance with.

When the final whistle went at the Emirates, no doubt pretty much every Newcastle fan left wondering whether Alexander Isak would be back available for Everton in this crucial final game of the season.

Eddie Howe giving this update on Alexander Isak in the aftermath of the striker missing the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal:

“He only really felt pain after training [on Saturday].  He felt fine during the training but then had a bit of stiffness. He went for a scan on Sunday morning, purely as a precaution really, but then it became obvious that he wasn’t going to be fit to play.

“It is an unknown [at this moment in time] whether Alex [Isak] will be fit for the Everton game. I don’t know what will happen, a lot will depend on how he reacts in the next few days. I think he has had a couple of groin issues, on either side,.

“I think this is one that he had earlier in the season. I don’t think this is a surgery issue. I don’t think it’s something that needs mending. It probably needs looking at, as to why he is getting these groin complaints. But it is definitely not a surgery issue, it is probably more of a case of what is he doing to strengthen that area [or needs to do], which of course we will look at and focus on.”

I think fair to say that it is very unlikely that we will find out for sure ahead of the Newcastle team announcement at 2.45pm on Sunday, whether Alexander Isak will be playing or even on the bench.

However, Chris Waugh of The Athletic has given his perspective today on the Alexander Isak situation – 20 May 2025:

‘Without having any updates on Isak’s fitness beyond those that Newcastle released publicly after Arsenal, my hunch is he will start against Everton. The reward likely dwarfs the risk for this match — unless there is a fear Isak could aggravate his groin problem and cause long-term damage — and, given that Newcastle have failed to score from open play during their four league matches without him this season, never mind win, having the striker at St James’ Park would provide everyone with a huge boost.

He is world class and the psychological effect he can have on his team-mates, opposition players and the crowd is almost as significant as the actual footballing impact he can provide.’

‘Had Arsenal been the final game, perhaps Howe would have played Isak because the risk of him breaking down would not have been as significant. Everton is, theoretically at least, the ‘more winnable’ of the two games — and it’s at home.’

My opinion?

My conclusions are very similar to those of the man from The Athletic.

Personally, I would be amazed if Alexander Isak is not in the matchday squad for Everton AND almost certainly, in the starting eleven.

I think fair to say that Alexander Isak in the last few matches hasn’t looked 100% physically, but even if at 80% or 90%, then he is still by a distance, Newcastle’s best goal threat. I think a lot of people were way over the top with their negativity on Callum Wilson’s performance at Arsenal, but at the same time, he isn’t close to the threat he once was, having had injuries and so little football this past year.

This match on Sunday couldn’t be bigger, unless possibly if it was a cup final.