Crystal Palace (H) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction

Olly Hawkins

Eddie Howe’s comments in Friday’s press conference said it all; January is a season-defining month for Newcastle United.

A new year is here, and we must start it well, with a run of massive games coming our way to kick off 2026, including five in the Premier League, two Champions League ties with PSV and PSG, a Carabao Cup semi-final with Man City and Bournemouth in the FA Cup a week today.

First up in our run of four straight home games is Crystal Palace; a side hit by injuries and fatigue following a gruelling December, with Eagles boss Oliver Glasner admitting they are in ‘survival mode.’

It feels like a big opportunity to beat a top half side we’ll leapfrog with a win, and a chance to kick on from our vital yet far from convincing 3-1 win at Burnley on Tuesday.

We’re only four points from Chelsea and Man City, our form on Tyneside has been strong and we’re getting a few key players back from injury, but it’s absolutely essential that we find consistency soon if we’re to come out of a hectic January in or around those European spots after such a frustrating end to 2025.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game on Sunday, Howe delivered this clear message:

“There is going to be no rest during January. This is going to be a season-defining month for us with very minimal rest between games. We’ve got some tough challenges ahead and certainly the start of the month has to be a fruitful one.”

“We are in there, fighting and scrapping for every point that we can in the Premier League. It’s been a difficult season so far but the points gap is minimal. If we can put a run together, but it’s a big ‘if’.

“Consistency has been our main failing this year. Being able to back up results is what we are looking to do. If we can things can change quickly.

“This is our moment — we are running out of opportunities — because beyond this we won’t get another chance. Our performance levels have been pretty good for a while but this is a season defining month for us.”

Team news

The good news is that Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman could all return to a squad that’s starting to look a little healthier now Nick Pope and Joelinton are fit again.

Lewis Hall ‘should be ok’ after twisting his ankle at Burnley, Anthony Elanga is ‘close’ to resuming training, suggesting this one may come too soon, but Dan Burn, Will Osula and Emil Krafth remain out.

For Palace, they have a long injury list of issues. Out injured are Munoz, Kamada, Doucoure, Nketiah and Richards, with Sarr away at AFCON and Hughes facing a late fitness test after limping off in Thursday’s draw with Fulham.

Predicted XI

(4-3-3): Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

OUT: Wissa and Barnes IN: Woltemade and Murphy

Match prediction

Our home form has been very strong, even if performances haven’t always hit the heights we’re capable of. We’ve won eight and drawn two of our last 10 in all competitions, with second half slips against Chelsea and Spurs (both 2-2) the only occasions we’ve not won.

We can’t underestimate Palace, who still have quality players in Guehi, Wharton and Mateta in the spine of their side, alongside a top manager in Glasner, but there is no doubt we’re playing them at a good time.

I am confident we get the job done here and even fancy us to do it relatively comfortably, with a victory and first clean sheet in 13 games what I’m going for in Sunday’s 3pm kick-off.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Crystal Palace

Howay the lads!

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

View all posts by Olly Hawkins →

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38 thoughts on “Crystal Palace (H) – Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible XI and prediction”

  1. My issue with this one is their CBs always look comfortable – even when Lerma drops back in there.

    I’m not sure Woltemade is the forward to play in this one – their 3 CBs win what battle with relative ease imo.

    I’d go Murphy, Wissa and Barnes personally – run at them rather than play it into Wolt.

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  2. Will be a tough game. Palace have been canny this year but we do look like we’re turning a corner a bit. Very slowly and doing about a 50 point turn but it is turning around.

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  3. Glasner is an excellent coach and despite having only 13 senior players and kids available due to injuries they are above Newcastle in the table.. snow on the ground and slippy conditions may hamper our fast forward play .. hope Olly is right but it could be a nervous 90 minutes

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  4. We simply have to win if we want to keep in touch of Euro spots. Don’t see us getting anyone in this window to help so the lads have to get their heads right going forward.
    We are home and need to make that pay.

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  6. Well Eddie clearly thinks like me 😂.

    Pleased he’s gone with Wissa – I do think he’ll cause their CBs more problems than Wolt.
    Need Gordon to turn up today though – he needs to repay Howes patience.

    Also, good to see Tino, Trips and Botman back on the bench

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  17. That first goal surely was level. This offside by a shoulder is ridiculous. Ruining football. We’ve wasted some chances but so have they. We must step up in the second half.

    Thiaw is an outstanding defender, and Miley is doing a superb job so far.

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  22. That lad is gonna have so much interest in him come summertime, thank god he’s a geordie , could mean he stays.

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  38. Willock gets a nose bleed and weee’s his pants when a chance comes his way.
    Miley- Man of the Match, Joelinton runner up.
    Just when I thought Murphy was the best choice on the right, he goes missing again.
    Never mind a scrappy win will do.

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