Newcastle United host Crystal Palace at St James’ Park in a mid-table Premier League clash.
Victory would see Newcastle move up as high as fifth if Brighton lose elsewhere, whilst Palace can go seventh with a win.
Team News
Anthony Gordon is available for Newcastle after he was suspended for their 2-2 draw at West Ham a fortnight ago.
Sven Botman (knee), Joelinton (hamstring) and Alexander Isak (knee) face late fitness tests.
Joe Willock (hamstring/Achilles) and Harvey Barnes (foot) remain absent.
Fringe player, Lewis Miley will miss the game with Glandular fever which will keep him out of the squad for a few weeks.
Palace will be without Jeffrey Schlupp after he suffered a hamstring injury during their goalless draw against Nottingham Forest.
Joel Ward (adductor), Cheick Doucoure (muscle), Jairo Riedewald (groin), Naouirou Ahamada (ankle), and Jefferson Lerma (hamstring) face late fitness tests.
Matheus Franca could be in line for his debut after having struggled with a back injury since he arrived at Selhurst Park this summer.
Dean Henderson (muscle), Nathan Ferguson (thigh), Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise (both hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle face Palace at St James’ Park on Saturday 21 October at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are unbeaten in five of their last six league meetings against Palace (W2, D3, L1).
- Palace have claimed seven points in their last five league trips to Newcastle (W2, D1, L2).
- Each of Newcastle’s three meetings against Palace in all competitions last season finished goalless.
- Anthony Gordon has been yellow carded in three of Newcastle’s four league matches at home this season.
- Odsonne Edouard and Joachim Andersen are the only Palace players who have scored on the road this season, having both scored two goals apiece.
Prediction
Having battled to a draw in East London with short bursts of clinical moments of play amidst fatigue from their first autumnal hectic period in a decade, Newcastle will be relieved to have had the international break to rest and regroup after conceding a sloppy late equaliser.
Palace meanwhile delivered an excellent defensive display to hold Forest in a tightly fought contest but having struggled to do much on the attack, I would like to see them show more attacking football here despite both trips to Newcastle last season having ended goalless.
Both teams though are currently sat in a solid position in the table and given Palace’s defensive solidness, I can see another tough encounter but Newcastle might just have enough to snatch a narrow win if the Eagles don’t find their goalscoring boots.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace
Result: Newcastle United 4-0 Crystal Palace
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