Newcastle vs Crystal Palace

The riches of Paris Saint-Germain succumbed the last time Newcastle stepped out onto St. James’ Park, with a different test awaiting the Magpies on Saturday afternoon.

There will be no Luis Enrique in the away dugout, but the oldest Premier League manager of all time in 76-year-old Roy Hodgson, who has stabilised a Crystal Palace side that briefly threatened to enter the relegation dogfight last season.

Despite allowing Wilfried Zaha to leave in the summer, Palace have enjoyed a typically steady start to the season and are seemingly primed for another mid-table finish. The Eagles sit ninth in the Premier League table and just a point adrift of Saturday’s opponents.

Newcastle’s opening act of 2023/24 was dominated by their success against PSG in the Champions League, and while their league position is somewhat underwhelming, Eddie Howe’s side are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions. The boss will have an eye of Borussia Dortmund’s visit when Palace visit Tyneside on Saturday.

Here’s 90min’s preview of Newcastle‘s upcoming Premier League clash against Palace.

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace H2H Record

Current Form (all competitions)

The hosts are hoping that Alexander Isak will be fit for Saturday’s game despite injury ruling him out of international duty. Isak picked up a groin injury in the draw with West Ham.

Fellow striker Callum Wilson is also a doubt, but the Englishman should be fine for minutes off the bench should Isak be fit to start.

Harvey Barnes will not feature, while Joe Willock and Joelinton are edging closer to their respective turns. The Magpies are also likely to be without Sandro Tonali given the controversy currently surrounding him. On a more positive note, Sven Botman has recovered quicker than expected and he could come straight back into Howe’s team.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs Palace (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Longstaff, Anderson; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Like Newcastle, the visitors will be without a whole host of stars for Saturday’s game. Crucially, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze remain sidelined for Palace, although the former should be close to making his return.

Nathan Ferguson, Jefferson Lerma, Dean Henderson and James Tomkins are all doubts, while summer arrival Matheus France is yet to feature for his new club.

Palace predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-4-2): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Ayew, Hughes, Doucoure, Schlupp; Mateta, Edouard.

Palace were woefully uninspiring in the absence of Eze and Olise against Nottingham Forest before the international break, although their sound defence could render this a tight game.

There may be a hint of rust on Newcastle’s behalf given the break and their current injury list, with Howe also having a huge Champions League fixture to consider in midweek.

Palace are unlikely to threaten much, and they could frustrate the hosts on Saturday. But, Newcastle may well be bailed out by a singular piece of brilliance in the final third.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace

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