Newcastle United's push for Champions League football continues on Wednesday when they play visitors Crystal Palace at St James' Park in the Premier League.
The Magpies trounced Manchester United 4-1 on Sunday and are fourth in the table with 56 points, while the Eagles are in 12th place with 43 points following their disappointing 5-2 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Match preview
© Imago
The Toon were dominant against Manchester United, forcing the Red Devils into 13 high turnovers while creating six big chances.
Newcastle's win was their fifth consecutive victory, and though they will be disappointed to have conceded on Sunday, United's goal was only the third time in five games that opponents have managed to score against the Magpies.
Eddie Howe's side have also been rampant in the final third having found the back of the net on 11 occasions in their last four outings.
Howe missed his side's match against Manchester United after being hospitalised because of pneumonia, and the English manager will not return to the sidelines on Wednesday, with assistant Jason Tindall set to take charge once again.
A victory for the Magpies would be significant for their chances of qualifying for the Champions League given three points would take them to third place above Nottingham Forest, and a tally of 59 points would be five more than sixth-placed Chelsea with just six games remaining.
Newcastle have won four of their five most recent fixtures at St James' Park, and have in fact won six of their last eight at home in the Premier League while losing twice.
© Imago
Opponents Crystal Palace were leading 2-0 against Manchester City by the 21st minute, but the scores were level by the 36th minute.
Boss Oliver Glasner will be alarmed that his side faced 12 big chances, though they had only conceded more than one goal in a match once in their prior 10, keeping five clean sheets.
The Eagles have enjoyed a remarkable second half of the season given they have only lost four times in their past 18 Premier League outings, winning 10 times in that period.
Though the visitors were beaten by City, they did win six and draw one of their previous seven games in all competitions.
Palace drew 1-1 with Newcastle in the reverse fixture on November 30, and their record against their hosts is fairly even having won two, lost two and drawn four of their last eight top-flight clashes.
While Glasner's side are winless in their past two away matches – suffering defeat once – triumphed in each of their prior six games on the road without conceding and scoring on 13 occasions.
Team News
© Imago
Newcastle come into Wednesday's clash without centre-backs Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman, while left-back Lewis Hall's ankle issue may sideline him until late June.
Tino Livramento is certain to continue on the left side of defence, while Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn can be expected to fill out the rest of the back four.
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton could start in midfield, and perhaps Anthony Gordon could come into the XI in place of Jacob Murphy in attack.
As for Palace, they will be boosted by the return of centre-back Marc Guehi, who is likely to play in a back three alongside Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix.
With midfielder Cheick Doucoure unavailable due to injury, perhaps Adam Wharton will be partnered in a double pivot by Will Hughes.
In the forward line, Ismaila Sarr and Eberechi Eze may be tasked with supporting striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
We say: Newcastle United 2-2 Crystal Palace
Palace will be boosted by the return of Guehi in defence, but they could still encounter difficulties at the back given Newcastle's strong performances in recent weeks.
Neither side are likely to keep a clean sheet, and it would not be surprising if the sides played out an entertaining draw, especially considering the visitors have been excellent away from home.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
