Chris Sutton offers Newcastle United verdict - Predicts strong Crystal Palace

Chris Sutton has predicted a tight game between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace with both sides enjoying a good stretch of form.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will be unavailable on the touchline, with it being confirmed since the comfortable victory over Manchester United that the manager is suffering from pneumonia.

Jason Tindall will take charge of the Magpies for the second consecutive game and will aim to make it six wins in a row, seeing Newcastle climb to third if we win our game in hand.

Sutton expects a tight game

Chris Sutton expects Newcastle to just have enough to extend their winning run and edge past Crystal Palace.

Oliver Glasner’s side's undefeated run was ended at eight despite taking a two-goal lead against Manchester City on the weekend. Kevin De Bruyne was back to his best to captain his side to a 5-2 victory.

Newcastle can go five points clear of sixth-place Chelsea with a win tonight and Sutton predicts that exactly what will happen.

Suttons prediction for BBC Sport:

“Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has had a really tough time and the most important thing is that he makes a speedy recovery from his illness.

“His players put in a performance to make him proud in Sunday’s win over Manchester United, and I can see them doing the same again here.

“The Magpies have won four [Premier League] games in a row and, with a top five place in their sights, I just can’t see past them winning this one too on current form, especially at home. It will be close though.

“Crystal Palace have picked up more points on the road this season than they have at Selhurst Park, and they caused Manchester City plenty of problems early on at the weekend.

“[Man] City fought back well to win after going 2-0 down, but we saw how Palace’s plan worked early on and how dangerous they are on the break.

“They will do the same thing this time, with their wing-backs picking their moments to spring forward, and they will certainly pose a threat even if Newcastle have most of the ball.

“I think Palace will score, but Newcastle are going to be hard to keep out.

“I’ve always been a fan of Harvey Barnes and, with his competition with Anthony Gordon on the left flank, and Jacob Murphy on the other side, they have got lots of firepower alongside Alexander Isak."

Sutton's prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner praises NUFC

Crystal Palace Oliver Glasner had plenty of praise for Newcastle’s win over Manchester United on Sunday but made it no secret that he is bringing his side to the North East with the intention of taking all three points back to the capital.

One of the sides that have been languishing in the bottom half while eight/nine teams felt they had a genuine chance of competing for Europe, Glasner's side have made a charge towards the top 10 and would go six points behind Aston Villa with six games to play if they manage to leave SJP with three points.

Glasner on Newcastle:  “We will go for a win. Of course, we are also considering what we need playing against Newcastle. I watched their game against Man United. They were very powerful, with a lot of energy, especially in their stadium.

“They are playing for a Champions League position at the end of the season. They’re a great team, high intensity, making a lot of sprints, so we will find the right players to compete with them. And this is how we will pick the team.”