Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle Preview: A Clash of Opposites | OneFootball

The two teams go into this Premier League fixture with very different vibes. Palace, on the back of a convincing 3-0 win against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, have one foot in the semi-final. They know that one more Premier League win – or even a draw – will realistically end any lingering fears of being dragged into a relegation battle. It’s been a turbulent season at Selhurst Park… but it could all end so well.

Newcastle, on the other hand, are not in a great place. Questions are being raised for the first time about manager Eddie Howe’s position on the back of a second half capitulation against their fiercest rivals Sunderland last time out, which saw them throw away a goal advantage to lose at home 2-1. That came only four days after conceding seven against Barcelona to exit the Champions League and shortly after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester City. Twelfth in the League but with European qualification still in touch, these last seven games feel like a defining period in Newcastle’s immediate future.

Mateta back as Palace flourish

It was much more like it on Thursday as a full strength Palace looked back to their best. Manager Oliver Glasner, who is leaving in the summer, has rarely had the chance to draw on his best players in an injury hit season yet is still working his magic. Lacking depth, the injury crisis played a major part in his decision to leave, as taking a progressive step following last year’s FA Cup win and this season’s victory in the Community Shield was hampered by a lack of transfer activity.

Yet on Thursday Glasner said he felt “something special” as following the international break the team and supporters alike felt, to steal the title of the Palace song, “Glad All Over.”

They go into the Newcastle game in a rare state: with everyone available. The season’s troubles have been encapsulated by talismanic striker Jean Philippe Mateta. The French international, so influential since Glasner arrived at Selhurst two years ago, announced he wanted out in January, following the sale of captain Marc Guéhi to Manchester City. That move collapsed over a knee injury which kept him out for a month, but he was back on Thursday night, and scoring for the first time since New Year’s Day.

Key players return

Ismaïla Sarr missed 10 games through injury and African Cup of Nations duty, but is back. Daniel Muñoz, so vital down the Palace left, missed nine games with injury but has returned. Adam Wharton is pushing for a place in the England World Cup squad and is hitting the right form to do so. Japan international Daichi Kamada missed 10 but his more forward position proved a good foil for Wharton.

Palace’s search for a new manager is well underway, and there may be some senior players moving on, but Eagles’ fans will hope they can now enjoy a full-strength Glasner team in the last few games of the season.

Howe’s testing time

For Newcastle, the next few games are vital. It’s a decent run in and an opportunity to get some momentum going into what will have to be a rebuild in the summer as key areas are strengthened and interest grows in their better players. For Howe, it feels a bit like a job audition. Can he get his team firing again or will the downward momentum continue. Recent comments by Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson will hardly have helped.

There is little doubt that the Alexander Isak saga has a significant impact on the Magpies season, but legitimate questions can be asked about the club’s handling of the transfer, which saw them miss out on key incomings as Isak effectively went on strike ahead of a deadline day move to Liverpool.

That left Newcastle desperate and in came strikers Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa for a combined $159 million. Wissa missed the first three months of the season with a knee injury picked up just after his arrival on Tyneside and hasn’t yet recovered form, with only one goal in 13 Premier League games.

Howe has reverted to playing Woltemade in midfield such is his ineffectiveness in front of goal, following a similar path of Joelinton. This has led to Anthony Gordon playing more of a number 9 role, with limited success. Captain Bruno Guimarães’ continuing absence with a hamstring injury is huge and Newcastle will be desperate to get him fit for the last few games.

England trio give hope

While injuries have hit hard, and the feeling around Tyneside is a bit glum, the Toon can can still end the season on a high and with up to 11 Premier League places up for grabs in Europe next year, they can still grab a spot in the Europa League or Conference. The return of England defender Tino Livramento and excellent form of Lewis Hall are positives. Anthony Gordon has had a strong second half of the season and looks to have cemented his place in the England World Cup squad. Sandro Tonali played both games for Italy in the World Cup play-offs after missing the Sunderland game and will slot straight back into the starting line up.

Prediction

Mateta will be rested after his efforts on Sunday, replaced by Jørgen Strand Larsen . Otherwise Glasner will hope to have all his senior players still available, although Evan Guessand faces a late fitness assessment after a slight injury on Thursday.

Howe will hope Lewis Miley’s return to training following a thigh injury will be enough to earn him a place in the matchday squad while Gordon will again start as the team’s attacking focus point.

The Eagles will provide a stiff test for the Magpies but their home form isn’t great. They have played a game Thursday while Newcastle will be fresh. Coupled with Newcastle needing to take something from this game to shift the momentum, a draw seems most likely.