Having secured a win last time out, Newcastle United would want to build on it when they host Crystal Palace, who have not been at their best in recent weeks.
The home team have been very inconsistent this season. A team that is supposed to be pushing for a UEFA Champions League spot finds itself 13th on the table with 26 points in 19 outings. The Magpies have only been able to secure seven wins so far.
After a run of three league outings without a win, they did return to winning ways against Burnley last time out. It was an impressive 3-1 win for the Tyneside club, and the result should certainly give them a lot of confidence heading into this home game. However, Eddie Howe may be under pressure to deliver the goods in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are tenth on the table with 27 points in their 19 Premier League outings. The Eagles were very much in the race for a Champions League spot. However, a run of four games without a win has seen them drift away a touch.
After defeats to Manchester City, Leeds United and Tottenham, they played out a draw against Fulham last time out. The South London outfit were far from their best against the Cottagers, and they will have to dig deep if they want to get the better of the Magpies. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Eddie Howe remains without the services of Dan Burn, Valentino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, William Osula, and Anthony Elanga. But the good news is that they do not have any fresh injury concerns to deal with.
The Magpies will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Nick Pope should take charge in goal. Lewis Miley and Lewis Hall are expected to be the full-backs, while Malick Thiaw should pair up with Fabian Schar in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Sandro Tonali will start alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Middle East. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game in the centre of the park.
Yoane Wissa, who is slowly getting back to his best, is expected to lead the line for Newcastle United against Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon and Harry Barnes will provide him significant support from the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon
After being taken off in the game against Fulham, Will Hughes will undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability. Meanwhile, Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz, Rio Cardines, Caleb Kporha, Chris Richards, Cheick Doucoure, Eddie Nketiah, and Chadi Riad are all out injured. Ismaila Sarr is also unavailable, as he is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The away team will line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, where Dean Henderson will be in goal. Jefferson Lerma, Marc Guehi, and Maxence Lacroix are expected to form the back three. The trio will receive significant support from Nathaniel Clyne and Tyrick Mitchell, who are expected to take charge as the wing-backs.
Meanwhile, if fit, Will Hughes should pair up Adam Wharton in the centre of the park. The duo will look to ensure Newcastle midfielders do not dominate the proceedings. Justin Devenny and Yeremy Pino will feature out wide on the flanks as wingers, while Jean-Philippe Mateta will continue to lead the line for Crystal Palace against Newcastle United.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Devenny, Pino; Mateta
Following an impressive season with Brentford, where he bagged 20 goals and five assists, Newcastle United added Yoane Wissa to their squad last summer to cope with Alexander Isak’s departure. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old did not have the best of starts to life at St. James’ Park as he picked up a knee injury, keeping him out for the majority of the first half of the season.
However, the 29-year-old is now back fit and slowly getting back to his best. Having bagged a goal in their win over Burnley, Wissa will certainly head into this fixture with some confidence. He could prove to be a handful for the Eagles’ backline.
Newcastle United will take plenty of confidence from their emphatic win over Burnley, and they will be keen to use home advantage to build some momentum. Eddie Howe’s side should look to control proceedings through midfield and play with intensity, knowing that Palace have struggled for rhythm in recent weeks.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will be eager to halt their slide and rediscover the form that had them pushing towards the European places. However, with injuries limiting their options and St. James’ Park often proving a difficult venue, the Eagles may find it hard to impose themselves for long spells.
A competitive contest is expected, but Newcastle United’s greater cutting edge could prove decisive on the day. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Eddie Howe and his charges.
