Eddie Howe's comments in Friday's press conference said it all; January is a season-defining month for Newcastle United.
A new year is here, and we must start it well, with a run of massive games coming our way to kick off 2026, including five in the Premier League, two Champions League ties with PSV and PSG, a Carabao Cup semi-final with Man City and Bournemouth in the FA Cup a week today.
First up in our run of four straight home games is Crystal Palace; a side hit by injuries and fatigue following a gruelling December, with Eagles boss Oliver Glasner admitting they are in 'survival mode.'
It feels like a big opportunity to beat a top half side we'll leapfrog with a win, and a chance to kick on from our vital yet far from convincing 3-1 win at Burnley on Tuesday.
We're only four points from Chelsea and Man City, our form on Tyneside has been strong and we're getting a few key players back from injury, but it's absolutely essential that we find consistency soon if we're to come out of a hectic January in or around those European spots after such a frustrating end to 2025.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game on Sunday, Howe delivered this clear message:
"There is going to be no rest during January. This is going to be a season-defining month for us with very minimal rest between games. We've got some tough challenges ahead and certainly the start of the month has to be a fruitful one."
“We are in there, fighting and scrapping for every point that we can in the Premier League. It’s been a difficult season so far but the points gap is minimal. If we can put a run together, but it’s a big ‘if’.
“Consistency has been our main failing this year. Being able to back up results is what we are looking to do. If we can things can change quickly.
“This is our moment — we are running out of opportunities — because beyond this we won’t get another chance. Our performance levels have been pretty good for a while but this is a season defining month for us.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJKSgQc2kBM&pp=ygUEbnVmYw%3D%3D
Team news
The good news is that Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman could all return to a squad that's starting to look a little healthier now Nick Pope and Joelinton are fit again.
Lewis Hall 'should be ok' after twisting his ankle at Burnley, Anthony Elanga is 'close' to resuming training, suggesting this one may come too soon, but Dan Burn, Will Osula and Emil Krafth remain out.
For Palace, they have a long injury list of issues. Out injured are Munoz, Kamada, Doucoure, Nketiah and Richards, with Sarr away at AFCON and Hughes facing a late fitness test after limping off in Thursday's draw with Fulham.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
OUT: Wissa and Barnes IN: Woltemade and Murphy
Match prediction
Our home form has been very strong, even if performances haven't always hit the heights we're capable of. We've won eight and drawn two of our last 10 in all competitions, with second half slips against Chelsea and Spurs (both 2-2) the only occasions we've not won.
We can't underestimate Palace, who still have quality players in Guehi, Wharton and Mateta in the spine of their side, alongside a top manager in Glasner, but there is no doubt we're playing them at a good time.
I am confident we get the job done here and even fancy us to do it relatively comfortably, with a victory and first clean sheet in 13 games what I'm going for in Sunday's 3pm kick-off.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Crystal Palace
Howay the lads!
