Newcastle United will look to cement their presence in the Champions League places by winning their game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
The Magpies are currently in fourth place in the Premier League, one point off third-placed Nottingham Forest. Manchester City are just a point behind them in fifth though, with Chelsea and Aston Villa hot on their heels.
With the top five qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Eddie Howe’s side will look to take advantage against a Palace side with little to play for.
The Londoners are sitting in 12th place, with European qualification unlikely. There is no threat of relegation either, while their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa is looming on the horizon. Palace could have one eye on this game.
Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles will still be absent for Newcastle, with both suffering knee injuries. Lewis Hall is out for the remainder of the season.
Anthony Gordon could make his first start since early March, while Barnes’ brace will likely see him lead the line with Alexander Isak.
Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi will both return from suspension after missing Crystal Palace’s defeat against Man City. Will Hughes could start for the first time since the end of February.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS CRYSTAL PALACE PREVIEW
Newcastle come into this game after thumping Manchester United 4-1 on Sunday. Goals from Sandro Tonali, a Harvey Barnes brace and Bruno Guimaraes were enough to seal all three points.
The Magpies were dominant throughout and confidence will be high following their fourth straight Premier League win. If you add the League Cup Final victory last month too, Newcastle have now won five in a row.
Palace, meanwhile, were on the receiving end of a 5-2 mauling at the hands of Manchester City this weekend. Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards put Palace two goals ahead inside 22 minutes, while a third was ruled out for offside.
City replied in emphatic fashion, with captain Kevin de Bruyne leading by example. He scored a stunning free kick in the 33rd minute before Omar Marmoush equalised three minutes later. Second-half goals from Mateo Kovacic, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly sealed the win.
This broke Palace’s seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions – and five-match run in the Premier League.
Palace will be hoping to bounce back against the Magpies but the omens aren’t good. In last season’s corresponding fixture, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon and Sean Longstaff scored before half-time to put Newcastle 3-0 up at the break. Callum Wilson put the icing on the cake in the 66th minute, sealing a 4-0 win.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park earlier this season. Daniel Muñoz equalised deep into second-half stoppage time after a Marc Guehi own goal had given Newcastle the lead.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS CRYSTAL PALACE – PREDICTIONS
Newcastle Win
Newcastle are unbeaten at home in the Premier League since 1 February and their home crowd often carries them. They have the far greater need for points too in the battle for the Champions League qualification spots.
Draw
The two teams shared the spoils at Selhurst Park earlier this season. Recent form between the two sides suggests they are quite evenly matched. There have been four draws in their last eight encounters.
Crystal Palace Win
Saturday’s defeat to Man City was their first loss away from home in 2025. You have to go back to 18 December and a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal to find their last defeat on their travels. In that time, they have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford too.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS CRYSTAL PALACE – BETTING TIPS
Newcastle United Win
Home advantage and the greater need for points point in the direction of Newcastle. They are coming into this game in great form and were utterly dominant in their 4-1 demolition of Manchester United on Sunday.
Both Teams To Score
Both teams have scored in all of Palace’s last three fixtures, while they did net twice against City. Meanwhile, Newcastle have scored nine goals in April alone across three fixtures.
Isak has scored 20 goals this campaign while Barnes’ brace means he’s now notched three goals in two games. Both players are in form and I expect at least one of them to net.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Newcastle and Crystal Palace have played each other 57 times, with Newcastle winning 31. Palace have won 13 games while there have been 13 draws.
- There have been four draws between the two sides in their last eight encounters. Newcastle have won three and lost one of the other four.
- Newcastle have won four Premier League games in a row and five in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace’s defeat against Man City on Saturday was their first in eight games in all competitions. It was also their first defeat in eight away games in all competitions too.
