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Premier League: Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United: On Wednesday night, Crystal Palace, who need just one more win to mathematically guarantee their Premier League safety, will host Newcastle United at their Selhurst Park home.
The Eagles destroyed London rivals West Ham United 5-2, setting a new club record in the process, while Eddie Howe’s team had the weekend off.
After their incredible victory over Liverpool at Anfield on April 14, the Reds’ first home loss in the Premier League in eighteen months, the Crystal Palace supporters may have thought their season had peaked, but Oliver Glasner’s team proved to be unstoppable again this past weekend when West Ham came to town.
Few could have predicted the Palace-inflicted demolition that took place in the first half, when Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and an own goal by Emerson Palmieri within the first 20 minutes gave the Eagles their quickest-ever three-goal lead in the Premier League, even with the Irons suffering from a Europa League hangover.
Jean-Philippe Mateta continued his winning streak with a brace as well, meaning that the Europa Conference League winners would have little comfort from Michail Antonio’s attempt and a ridiculous own goal by Tyrick Mitchell, for which Dean Henderson bore full responsibility.
With just 12 games remaining, the hosts in 14th place have opened up an 11-point lead over Luton Town in 18th place, thanks to their first-ever back-to-back victories in the Premier League. A win on Wednesday would ensure Glasner’s team another year in the big time.
The last time Palace won three straight Premier League games at home against Southampton was in April 2023, after the Eagles defeated both Leicester City and Leeds United. Wednesday’s hosts hadn’t failed to score in a top-flight home game since December 6.
While Crystal Palace was having fun scoring goals on Sunday, Howe and company had more time to enjoy their incredible run of springtime success since their matchup with Newcastle was one of just a few teams whose ties were postponed on FA Cup semi-final weekend.
Newcastle did not quite match the 6-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur at St. James’ Park last season, but the Magpies still gave their timid North London counterparts a footballing lesson, hitting the Lilywhites for four without answering. Newcastle finished with 10 points from the last 12 available in the top flight.
The Magpies’ most convincing victory of 2024 thus far came from a brace from Alexander Isak, an attempt from Anthony Gordon, and a header from Fabian Schar. This puts them in sixth place in the standings and puts them on track to play in the Europa League. Even though Manchester United’s deficit is only one goal, it is still a huge one: +17 to minus one for the Red Devils.
Going back to their defensive roots, Howe’s team has allowed just one goal in their past 270 minutes of Premier League play and has only lost twice in their last 11 games, both of which occurred when they were on away trips to face Chelsea and Arsenal.
Newcastle hasn’t lost at Selhurst Park, meanwhile, since the days before COVID-19 in February 2020. The Magpies’ 4-0 hammering of Palace at St. James’ Park in October made it six games without a loss versus the Eagles, who have now gone five games without scoring a goal.
Crystal Palace Premier League form:
D D L L W W
Newcastle United Premier League form:
W L W D W W
Newcastle United form (all competitions):
L L W D W W
The only minor setback to Sunday’s rout of West Ham was the forced substitution of Adam Wharton, who was substituted in the second half after a collision with Emerson’s legs; but, that contact injury ought to heal swiftly.
While Rob Holding and Joel Ward were on the bench, Chris Richards and Will Hughes overcame their fears to start the game over the weekend. However, Sam Johnstone (elbow), Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Jefferson Lerma (thigh), Marc Guehi (knee), and Matheus Franca (groyne) are all out.
If Wharton is not risked on Wednesday, Jairo Riedewald and Naouirou Ahamada will battle for the opportunity to take his position, but Glasner shouldn’t feel compelled to change his successful formula from the previous weekend.
Newcastle has had 11 days to recover from any bumps and bruises, and Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock, who had calf injuries, will benefit from the extra time off to assist them both reach their Wednesday availability goals.
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The Magpies are still missing a number of longer-term casualties, though, including as the suspended Sandro Tonali and the injured Matt Targett (Achilles), Nick Pope (shoulder), Miguel Almiron (knee), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton (thigh), Lewis Miley (back), Sven Botman (knee), and Jamaal Lascelles (knee).
The Magpies were unstoppable at St. James’ Park despite their overflowing infirmary, which saw Emil Krafth start at centre back against Tottenham. Howe will undoubtedly field an unchanged squad at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Clyne, Richards, Andersen; Munoz, Ahamada, Hughes, Mitchell; Olise, Mateta, Eze
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Murphy, Krafth, Schar, Burn; Anderson, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Our Prediction for this match 2-2 draw or 2-1 won by newcastle.
