Crystal Palace Vs Newcastle

Crystal Palace is hoping to escape the Premier League relegation zone as they prepare to face Newcastle United at Selhurst Park this Saturday afternoon. The Eagles are currently struggling near the bottom of the table and will be looking to build on their recent performance against Aston Villa, while Newcastle is coming off a disappointing loss to West Ham United.

Last weekend, Crystal Palace earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa. The match had initially looked promising for Palace as they led 2-1 heading into the final stages of the game, thanks to goals from Ismaila Sarr and Justin Devenny. Devenny, in particular, was celebrating his first Premier League goal, and Palace seemed poised to secure three valuable points. However, a late header from Villa's Ross Barkley in the 77th minute saw the points shared between the two teams. The result left Crystal Palace with a total of eight points from their opening 12 matches, which is a disappointing return for manager Oliver Glasner and his team, especially after a strong finish to the previous season.

Under Glasner’s management last year, Palace had a solid run, earning 24 points from their final 13 league matches and finishing in 10th place in the Premier League. Fans had high hopes that the team would build on that momentum in the current season, but so far, the Eagles have not been able to replicate that form. Their only win came in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at home on October 27, but they have since struggled with two draws and a loss in their last three league outings.

Despite their struggles, Palace remains only one point behind safety, sitting 19th in the table. With a win this weekend, they could leap out of the relegation zone and begin to climb up the standings. The Eagles will be looking to replicate their performance from last season when they defeated Newcastle 2-0 in this same fixture in April. However, history is not on Palace’s side when it comes to facing Newcastle at home. The Eagles have not won consecutive matches against the Magpies since 1972, with their last two victories in this fixture coming in 1971 and 1972, a run of three straight wins. Nevertheless, Palace will be motivated to improve their form at Selhurst Park, especially given their struggles at home this season.

In the 2024-25 campaign, Palace has only earned five points from their six home games, the second-lowest total in the league. They have also had difficulty finding the back of the net in front of their own fans, scoring just three goals in their first ten league matches at home, the lowest total and percentage (30%) in the division. This lack of attacking output is a significant concern for Palace, and they will need to rectify it if they are to have any hope of moving up the table.

On the other side, Newcastle United comes into this match with a mixed bag of results. Eddie Howe’s side enjoyed a strong run earlier in the season, winning three consecutive matches, including a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup and back-to-back Premier League wins against Arsenal (1-0) and Nottingham Forest (3-1). However, their momentum was halted by a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on Monday. The loss came after goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka either side of halftime, and it marked Newcastle's fourth league loss of the season. While Howe was somewhat pleased with his team’s performance during the first 60 minutes of the match, he expressed disappointment with their inability to maintain their level of play in the final half-hour, and he highlighted individual mistakes that led to both goals.

Despite the setback, Newcastle remains in a relatively strong position in the Premier League, sitting 10th in the table with 18 points from 12 matches. The Magpies are just four points behind the top four, and with a few positive results, they could quickly climb the standings. However, they will need to be more consistent in the coming weeks if they are to challenge for a higher finish, as they are only five points adrift of a Manchester City side that has struggled to find its best form this season.

One area where Newcastle will need to improve is their record away from home, particularly in London. They have had limited success in the capital, losing six of their eight visits to London in recent seasons. Between October 2022 and October 2023, Newcastle had a strong run in London, going unbeaten in eight matches (four wins and four draws). However, their recent record in the city has been less impressive, and they will need to overcome this if they are to succeed at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Newcastle’s recent form at Selhurst Park is also a cause for concern. The Magpies have won just one of their last nine Premier League visits to the ground (drawing five and losing three), after winning each of their first four top-flight meetings with Crystal Palace away from home. This record suggests that Palace has often been a difficult opponent for Newcastle in South London, and the Magpies will need to put together a much-improved performance if they are to claim all three points.

For Howe and his team, this match is an opportunity to bounce back after their disappointing defeat to West Ham. Newcastle has shown glimpses of their potential this season, and a strong performance against Palace could be just what they need to get back on track. Howe will be hoping for a more disciplined and clinical display from his players, with an emphasis on reducing mistakes at the back. The Magpies will also need to be more assertive in attack, as they will be facing a Crystal Palace side that has shown vulnerabilities at the back, particularly when playing at home.

Palace, meanwhile, will be eager to put an end to their home struggles and pick up their first win at Selhurst Park in over a month. Glasner will be looking for his team to maintain the level of performance they showed in the first 60 minutes against Aston Villa and avoid the defensive lapses that have cost them in recent weeks. The return of key players and a more potent attacking display could make all the difference for the Eagles as they look to secure a vital three points in their battle to avoid relegation.

Overall, this match is a crucial one for both teams. Crystal Palace will be determined to escape the relegation zone and build on their positive display against Aston Villa, while Newcastle will be looking to recover from their disappointing loss to West Ham and maintain their push for a top-half finish. With both sides having something to prove, Saturday's encounter at Selhurst Park promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair.