Newcastle have 10 points from the last 12 on offer in the Premier League and the push for European football next season is well and truly entering its home straight. And, having had the taste of European nights earlier this season, players and fans alike are chomping at the bit to get back there again.
Hammering Spurs (again) has proven our credentials, but a trip to a challenging Palace under a revitalised new manager presents a different sort of football match.
Palace are riding high after a thumping 5-2 win over the Toon’s top six rivals West Ham, where star duo Eze and Olise ran riot. Couple this with the Eagles’ deft 1-0 win over Liverpool and you now have two teams in good form both wanting to finish the season as strongly as possible – albeit for different reasons.
There has been a gap between the Spurs game and Wednesday’s Palace clash, something Eddie Howe was keen to exploit. “We have tried to use the time productively; the lads are feeling good about themselves,” Howe said.
“We don’t want to lose our rhythm. We have tried to keep everything the same, we have tried to make sure we are physically where we need to be when the game kicks off.”
Team news
Injuries have become the word of the season on Tyneside and Howe remained realistic about the prospect of returns for the Palace game.
Lewis Miley and Joe Willock’s seasons are both over with recovery the focus for the two midfielders. Almiron, Joelinton, Pope and Trippier have been ruled out again, but Howe hopes they will return before the close of the campaign.
In better news, Callum Wilson is expected to be back on the bench after “training well” this week, while Palace will be without Holding, Johnstone, Doucoure, Guehi, Lerma and Franca through injury.
Predicted XI: Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno, Longstaff, Anderson; Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
This was a tough one to call. Wilson is touch-and-go to make the squad and Howe is giving nothing away, so I presume if he is involved, he will be on the bench.
I think Livramento is the best option to face off against Palace’s tricky wingers who can and will cause us problems. I can see him starting down the left, with Krafth on the right after his strong display against Spurs. Harsh on Murphy, who did well at wing-back 10 days ago, but a front three of Gordon, Isak and Barnes surely has to start.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Newcastle
Palace’s good form is a threat to us. Mateta is scoring goals, Eze is a real handful and Olise offers bags of quality down their right. Their 3-4-3 system will also present and intriguing challenge. However, our recent unbeaten run stretches longer than Palace’s and Howe’s side have gotten into a groove of late. We’ve had a well deserved rest and will arrive full of confidence, so I’m backing the Toon to come away with a tight but precious win.
HOWAY THE LADS!
Well the goon squad have given Chelsea a good hiding tonight, which keeps Chelsea below us.
Wow Chelsea are one ugly side without Cole Palmer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Palace did well against WH but it’s remembering WH were coming off 2 tough games against Bayer.
We’ve had a real good break since Spurs so I expect us to go down there and beat them – I’m not saying comfortably, but beat them all the same.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The other good thing is Spurs still have to play all top 3 – and none are giving an inch so I expect all 3 games to be tough for them.
Get some of our players back & it’s entirely possible we catch Spurs and finish 5th – which would be truly ridiculous imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Is the game televised tomorrow? Anyone know? Thanks guys.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Everton vs Liverpool on instead.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Thanks Olly, yes I just saw that. Shocking really that the world can see it legally but we cannot. 😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Liverpool, on the other hand, turned around their poor form against Fulham and are still in the title race, so there’s a lot at stake in tonight’s match at opposite ends of the league. Read More… https://www.stats24.com/football/news-preview-everton-vs-liverpool-team-news-and-prediction-3492
“everton vs liverpool prediction”(Quote)
its on Bein sport,sorry best ican find
icedog(Quote)
I know it will be difficult to replace Klopp – but I must say I’m massively underwhelmed with Slot.
Sharpy17(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
Wilson and Tino on the bench. Looks like 5 at the back.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Radio it is then. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’d love someone to explain to me how the Everton goal tonight was onside, but Coventrys goal in the FA cup semi was offside. These officials just make things up. 😡😡😡
And a sh.ite first half by the sounds of it for our match. Need a kick up the ar.se from Eddie at HT 😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
ffs, we need to wake up now
kimtoon(Quote)
Well that was coming. We will lose this. 😡😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Very one sided first half by the sounds of it & the worst possible start to the 2nd half 😡😡
Man Utd making hard work of Sheff Utd as well – we are missing an opportunity tonight!! 😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
This ref sounds a nightmare
kimtoon(Quote)
Man united will win. FA will make sure of it. 😡😂😂🤷🏻♂️
The way we are playing, we will lose. FA will be happy
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I desperately don’t want to fall out with Howe but I don’t get it tonight like!!
Burn has been excellent at CB with Schar & we have Tino & Hall on the bench.
But Howe is messing round with this 3 CBs with Krafth, Murphy & Anderson out of position.
I don’t know what Tino & Hall have to do to secure their places.
Keep it simple stupid!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
game over
7th it is then
kimtoon(Quote)
Nah that’s not good enough tonight like. We’ve had over a week off – have we spent that time training with a back 3???
Sharpy17(Quote)
They have been better with their new manager – take nothing away from Palace.
But the whole team looked imbalanced with this 3 CBs nonsense.
Chance to make ground on Spurs & 5th and instead we are 7th behind Man Utd 😡😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fuming 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)