Newcastle United welcome Crystal Palace to St James’ Park in a rearranged Premier League encounter.
With both teams locked on 37 points apiece but Palace sat above Newcastle on goal difference, victory would see Eddie Howe’s Magpies climb to 11th in the table.
Palace meanwhile can go ninth with a win if Leicester and Brighton both lose elsewhere.
Team News
Javier Manquillo could return for Newcastle after he missed Sunday’s victory over Leicester due to illness.
Kieran Trippier (foot), Jamal Lewis (groin), Ryan Fraser (hamstring), Isaac Hayden (knee) and Callum Wilson (calf) remain absent.
Palace will be without Luka Milivojevic after the Serbian suffered a hamstring injury.
Conor Gallagher is available for selection after he was ineligible to feature in Sunday’s FA Cup exit against Chelsea, whilst Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have claimed seven points from their last six meetings against Crystal Palace (W2, D1, L3).
- Crystal Palace have won just two of their last seven league visits to St James’ Park (W2, D1, L4)
- Each of Newcastle’s last four victories at home against Palace have been through 1-0 results.
- Eddie Howe’s Magpies are unbeaten in their last seven league matches at home (W5, D2), during which they only kept two clean sheets.
- Wilfried Zaha has scored four goals in Palace’s last three away matches in the Premier League (W2, L1).
Prediction
Having gone unbeaten in their last seven home matches and moved onto the verge of definite safety, Newcastle now should look to continue that strong form but their set piece defending needs work after conceding a poor opening goal on Sunday against Leicester.
One positive is how they recovered with excellent pace and movement on the attack to rip Leicester’s central defence open repeatedly, which ultimately proved crucial to their win so I am expecting them to come out and try hit Palace’s defence on the counter.
Palace though can take heart from their stubborn defensive display at Wembley because they did a fantastic job of constantly frustrating Chelsea, despite eventually suffering defeat whilst also posing a real threat on the attack whenever they got chances.
I though am expecting Palace to revert to their 4-2-3-1 formation but this match certainly has the potential to be a close battle if both teams bring their best attacking game.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace