Two teams in contrasting runs of form and with different objectives have a big point to prove as Crystal Palace host Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Crystal Palace did not play football for the better part of a month, owing to their game against Manchester City being rescheduled, which clashed with the EFL Cup final. However, Oliver Glasner’s men returned to action in a stellar Conference League result for the Eagles, as they put three past Fiorentina without reply.
With one foot in the semi-final of Europe’s tertiary competition, they must switch their focus back to the Premier League. The team has been putting out some hot and cold results, with their most recent game ending in a goalless draw against Leeds United despite the opposition playing with ten men for more than half the game.
Currently, Crystal Palace sit in the 14th spot, much closer to the top six than the relegation zone points-wise. But they are still dreaming of a top-half finish as they take on Newcastle United at Selhurst Park, where they are currently unbeaten in five games across all competitions.
Newcastle United have endured a disappointing few weeks before the international break, as Eddie Howe will hope the Tyne-Wear Derby was the end of that run. An exit from the Carabao Cup, followed by a thorough thrashing at the hands of Barcelona to end their Champions League campaign, culminated in the local derby against Sunderland before the break.
Moreover, Newcastle United have suffered six losses in their last nine Premier League games, with statistics stating that only Tottenham have been in a worse run of form in that period. Their away record is slightly better heading to Selhurst Park, which reads four wins in their last six games on the road, a potential source of inspiration for Howe.
In the context of where the Magpies are with their objectives for the season, a return to the UEFA Champions League is all the more difficult and borderline impossible, although they are still within distance of a European finish. Hence, a win away at Crystal Palace seems imperative at this point, as a loss here would deal a severe blow to their continental hopes.
Team News & Tactics
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner could be forced into making a few changes, as there are some fitness concerns to manage. Evann Guessand suffered a knock that needs assessing before the Newcastle United game, which casts him as a significant doubt.
The Ivory Coast international could potentially join Eddie Nketiah, who is out for the season, and long-term absentee Cheick Doucoure on the sidelines. The good news is the return of Jorgen Strand Larsen following his suspension for the midweek game against Fiorentina.
The potential absence of Guessand could give Glasner the option to change his style in the forward line, as theoretically he could pair Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta together, although it might be the case that Yeremy Pino replaces Guessand in the setup. Ismaila Sarr is expected to keep his place, although it might also be the case that Mateta retains his spot given his performance in midweek.
Jaydee Canvot will continue to start in the back three alongside Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards, while Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell will feature out wide. Adam Wharton could have a different midfield partner in Will Hughes, as Glasner could rest Daichi Kamada ahead of the midweek European clash.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Lacroix; Muñoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
Newcastle United
Newcastle United have their own injury issues to deal with, as they are missing quite a few first-team stars. Chief among them is skipper Bruno Guimaraes, who has not been able to make a return from his thigh injury. The team has suffered without the Brazilian, as his prolonged absence might have dealt them a big blow in the context of making it back to the Champions League next season.
The others are Emil Krafth, as well as fellow defenders Fabian Schar and Sven Botman, with the latter duo undergoing surgeries to correct their respective problems. There were doubts about Lewis Miley and Sandro Tonali, but the pair are on course to feature, the latter likely from the start.
Anthony Gordon seems like a mainstay in the attack, as he will be eager to score in a fourth straight Premier League game, with Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes on either side, and Nick Woltemade operating in a second striker role behind the England international.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last five home games across all competitions.
- Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in their last five home games across all competitions.
- Newcastle United have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Newcastle United have won four of their last six away games in the Premier League.
- Crystal Palace have only won one of their nine Premier League games that have immediately followed a UEFA Conference League match (excl. qualifiers) this season (D2 L6), a 1-0 win over bottom side Wolves in February.
Player to Watch
Anthony Gordon
Gordon has scored four goals in as many Premier League games for Newcastle United, and once again, he will be the key man in the attack for the visitors. The idea that the Magpies could miss out on a European place is still rife, and players like the England international can change that course to an extent.
The former Everton man is likely to be the main threat to the Palace defence, but he must help the team in a big way to achieve their European goals, even if it is the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League. He will be the man to watch for the Magpies, as a good display from him could automatically help the team in a significant way.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle United
At this stage of the season, form is crucial, as is momentum, and Newcastle United have neither on their side heading to Selhurst Park. The Magpies need a morale-boosting win from somewhere to get their bearings right in their slim quest to secure one of the European places.
Crystal Palace may not have played in nearly a month, but they showed no rustiness when they defeated Fiorentina in midweek. Glasner’s side certainly has the momentum and have picked up form, which does make them the favourites to take three points against Newcastle United on Sunday.