Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Prediction

As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we look at Newcastle’s visit to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. With less than 72 hours turnaround from their last match, will Newcastle prove too much for Palace? Find out with our Crystal Palace vs Newcastle prediction.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Prediction Match Overview

Crystal Palace come into their third consecutive home Premier League game to face high-flying Newcastle with less than 72 hours to prepare following a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Man Utd. Though Palace have been struggling of late at times, they pressured United late in the second half and found their reward through a tremendously struck Olise free-kick. If they hadn’t, that match would’ve been the fifth of six league matches in which Palace failed to score. While Crystal Palace have won four of their last 10 Premier League matches, they’ve averaged 0.8 goals per game during that period. Three games in six days will severely test the limits of Vieira’s squad, as they can’t afford to make significant changes against such a dangerous opponent.

Newcastle have also been struggling to find the net recently and were perhaps fortunate to not be chasing a draw instead of a victory owing to Mitrovic’s freak penalty double-touch, however, they did eventually secure the win through summer signing Isak who unfortunately has suffered with injury problems this season. Newcastle’s success this season has been well documented, as they’ve firmly cemented themselves as serious contenders for a Champions League spot, if not for a run at the title.
Despite their recent mini-goalscoring drought of one goal in three matches, Newcastle come into this encounter on the back of five clean sheets in the Premier League – the last goal that the Tynesiders conceded was back in November against Southampton in a 4-1 victory.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Crystal Palace:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Ferguson, McArthur, Andersen

Newcastle:

Might Not Play:

Will Not Play: Krafth, Shelvey, Targett, Guimaraes

Possible Lineups

Crystal Palace: Guaita; Mitchell, Guehi, Richards, Clyne; Schlupp, Doucoure; Zaha, Olise, Ayew; Edouard

Newcastle: Pope; Burn, Schar, Botman, Trippier; Longstaff, Willock, Joelinton; Saint-Maximin, Almiron, Isak

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Prediction Analysis

Palace Must Take Better Care of the Ball

While we’ve pointed this out a lot of late, Palace do give the ball away frequently and are the most dispossessed team in the Premier League by some margin. So what does that mean for this particular match? Newcastle are arguably the best counter-pressing team in the league, meaning that no matter how well-organised Palace are and how hard they toil to win the ball back, they are in danger of losing it again immediately as Newcastle look to win the ball back as fast as possible to catch the opposition out of position. In addition to this, Newcastle are also adept at pressing from the front, opting to line up with Joelinton and the equally hard-working Almiron on the flanks, with both Wilson and Isak (depending on who starts) also highly capable pressing forwards. Palace would be best served playing more direct football to get their pacey forwards involved rather than attempting to play through the Newcastle press and leaving them vulnerable to turnovers in dangerous areas of the pitch.

Newcastle Need to Move the Ball Quicker

In their last two home encounters against Leeds and Fulham respectively, Newcastle had the lion’s share of possession yet created few clear chances, which suggests to us that they must move the ball quicker, particularly against a Palace side who, on their day, can prove to be obdurate opponents as they were last time out against Man Utd. While this Newcastle side can play a brand of possession-based football, we feel that this sometimes detracts from their main attacking strength, namely attacking quickly in transition. If Newcastle can play more direct at times and get the ball into dangerous positions out wide, Palace have shown vulnerability to attackers coming in from the byline as they have been reluctant to engage the ball carrier. Newcastle could take advantage of this weakness, particularly through the in-form Almiron.

Newcastle’s Defensive Unit

We all know that Newcastle have an enviable defensive record in the Premier League, but perhaps worryingly for Crystal Palace is the fact that both their full-backs in Burn and Trippier are defensively-minded and with Palace often relying on the likes of Zaha, Eze and Olise stretching the play to create more space in the middle of the park, they may find those pair to be a tough assignment. Newcastle will also be more than happy to allow Palace possession in certain areas of the pitch as they are brilliantly organised and often play with what can amount to two banks of four at times when out of possession. Palace, especially what will likely be a slightly fatigued version of themselves, may find it tough to create much of anything at times during this match.

Beat the Bookmaker Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Prediction

For those clubs outside of the Premier League giants, three games in six days is a tall order. Vieira did rotate his squad a little for the Manchester United game, but while Vieira has other attacking options at his disposal, perhaps the same cannot be said for other areas of the pitch. Newcastle by contrast will have had almost a full week’s rest coming into this match, which will suit their high-intensity style of football. Palace may have earned a valuable point last time out against an in-form Manchester United side, but can they repeat the trick here less than 72 hours later? We’re not convinced. Newcastle haven’t been in great goalscoring form, but we feel a tired Palace side will provide them with the opportunities they need.

Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle

Beat the Bookmaker Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Prediction – Newcastle Odds: