Newcastle United continue their top-five charge in a rearranged Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
Victory will lift Newcastle up to third and just four points off second-placed Arsenal, whilst Palace can go 11th with at least a draw but a win would put them two points off the top ten.
Team News
Joe Willock is available for Newcastle after he missed their last two matches due to concussion protocols.
Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles (both knee) and Lewis Hall (foot) remain absent.
Palace will welcome Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah back from suspension which saw the pair miss their 5-2 defeat at Manchester City.
Matt Turner and Romain Esse will also be back after illness kept the pair sidelined last weekend.
Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad (both knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Palace at St James’ Park on Wednesday 16 April at 7:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have lost one of their last seven league meetings against Palace (W2, D4, L1).
- Palace have won one of their last five league trips to Newcastle (W1, D1, L3).
- Newcastle have kept clean sheets in each of their last four home games against Palace in all competitions.
- Sando Tonali has scored in each of Newcastle’s last two home matches (W2).
- Eberechi Eze has been involved in three of Palace’s last four goals – in which he has produced one goal and two assists.
Prediction
Now sat fourth after a brilliant attacking display to comfortably dispatch a lacklustre Manchester United, Newcastle need to just try and continue to produce more of the same quality because if they win this game in hand then third or second will be an achievable target come end of season.
Palace meanwhile were superb on the fast-paced attacks against Man City in the opening half-hour yet somehow defensively switched off and never recovered, so a huge improvement is needed and Guehi’s return is therefore ideal because he should bring fresh legs and calmness at the back.
As much as Palace can’t be underestimated given their away form prior to the City game, I really don’t see Newcastle losing this if they can bring the same intensity and energy as they have done in their last few games.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace
