Crystal Palace host Newcastle as they look to pick up where they left off on Thursday with a 3-0 demolition of Fiorentina in the Conference League. With neither relegation or finishing in the European places mathematically over yet, this is a chance for Palace to do that to the former.
After a massive 3-0 win over Fiorentina on Thursday, Crystal Palace now turn their attention back to the Premier League for the visit of Newcastle.
Fans will be piling into Selhurst Park in positive spirits with a semi-final place in the Conference League all but secured following the big triumph in the week.
Now focus shifts back to the league, with Palace still technically not mathematically out of either the relegation battle or the race for Europe, such is the congestion of the league this year.
Victory over Newcastle on Sunday and fans can breathe, knowing the very small chance of relegation is over, and suddenly look up, with eighth place now guaranteed to be a Conference League place for next season.
First, though, with eight matches to go, Palace host a Newcastle side desperate to turn around their poor season.
Form Guide
After not playing for three weeks, Palace returned with energy and vigour and eased past Fiorentina with style.
Before that, the Eagles picked up three wins and a draw from their last six matches.
Newcastle have also not played since before the international break, where, following a hammering by Barcelona in the Champions League, they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland, which saw their rivals do the double over them.
Eddie Howe’s side have struggled all season for away wins, with just four coming in 15 matches, ranking them 14th in the away table.
Palace themselves rank 15th in the home table and have won just three times at home, meaning something will have to give.
Previous meetings
The two sides first met in the FA Cup on January 12 1907, in a game that Palace won 1-0.
Since then though, Newcastle have had the edge overall, winning 33 of the 59 clashes.
There have been 13 draws, and Palace have come out on top on 13 occasions.
Newcastle won the last two clashes, both of which came at St James’ Park, winning 2-0 and 5-0 respectively.
But at Selhurst Park, it has been a less happy hunting ground for the Magpies, who have not won in south London since a 2-0 triumph in November 2020.
Team News
Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Evann Guessand is a doubt after taking a “hit” to the knee on Thursday night.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is also still nursing his knee injury and may be put back onto the bench after he scored his first goal for Palace in three months.
Jorgen Strand Larsen can play though, while Christantus Uche is also fit.
Eddie Nketiah meanwhile is bad news, he will not be back on the field until next season at the earliest after a flare up of his hamstring issue.
Predicted XI
Crystal Palace: (3-4-2-1) Henderson (c); Canvot, Lacroix, Richards; Mitchell, Kamada, Wharton, Munoz; Pino, Sarr; Larsen
Odds
The Bookies are predicting an even game, with Bet 365 giving Palace odds of 2/1 to win and Newcastle 5/4.
A draw has odds of 13/5.
What did Oliver Glasner say?
“I think Newcastle have struggled a little bit with injuries, also with the tight schedule. They played a great Champions League campaign, especially in the group stage, and then first in the knockout stage against Qarabag, and then lost against Barcelona, which can happen.
“I expect them also to be fresher, to be honest. They had more than three weeks with no games. I think a few injured players will come back. They missed their captain, Bruno Guimarães, for a long time, so I think maybe he could be back.
Oliver Glasner is aware of the challenge his team will face against Newcastle. Image Credit: Reuters“It's Eddie Howe's team, so they always play with one of the highest intensities in the Premier League, with so much pace.
“They often conceded two or three goals, and that's why if we are sharp, if we play our style, I'm pretty convinced that we will create two, three, four chances – and then it's being efficient and scoring from it and controlling their pace.”