Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace Preview: Team News, Tactical Breakdown & Prediction

Newcastle United begin a crucial run of four consecutive home fixtures this Sunday afternoon with Crystal Palace the first visitors to Tyneside. With two Premier League matches on home soil, alongside FA Cup action and the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi final, Eddie Howe’s side have a clear opportunity to build momentum and kick-start the New Year in front of the Toon Army.

Match Details

• Fixture: Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace

• Competition: Premier League

• Date: Sunday 4 January 2025

• Kick-off: 3pm GMT

• Venue: St James’ Park

• TV coverage: Live on Sky

• Referee: Darren England

Newcastle United Team News & Predicted Line-Up

Eddie Howe is expecting Tino Livramento, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier to be close to a return and Lewis Hall should be OK after a slight ankle injury against Burnley.

With Nick Woltemade expected to come back for Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga out and Sandro Tonali potentially due a rest to fully recover from a niggling injury this could be Eddie Howe's starting eleven:

Newcastle United Predicted Line Up: Pope - Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall - Miley, Bruno, Joelinton - Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

Crystal Palace: Team News & Predicted Line Up

Will Hughes may be the latest Palace player to join a long list of absentees that includes Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz, Chris Richards and Eddie Nketiah, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad remain long-term casualties.

The South Londoners are also without the services of Ismaila Sarr who is currently representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Crystal Palace Predicted Line Up: Henderson - Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne - Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Devenny, Pino - Mateta

Where Newcastle United Can Hurt Crystal Palace

Under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace look to stay compact and break quickly, often going long into the channels for Jean-Philippe Mateta to use his strength and physical presence. But like most sides, Palace have struggled when pressed aggressively, with their build-up disrupted and possession turned over cheaply.

That plays right into Newcastle’s hands. At St James’ Park, a high-intensity start should prevent Palace from settling, while combinations out wide - with Livramento, Hall or Miley supporting Gordon and Murphy or Barnes - can stretch their back line and create chances for the Magpies to capitalise.

Newcastle also need to put in the accurate early crosses that were a feature of the first half against Chelsea when Nick Woltemade could have scored four.

Match Prediction

After a strong start to the season, Crystal Palace now arrive on Tyneside on a five-match winless run, and confidence is likely fragile. That should make this a fixture Newcastle are expected to take full advantage of in front of a packed and loud St James' Park crowd.

Despite our inconsistent form we are still only five points behind Chelsea in 5th place. The Premier League teams in Europe have done well - Newcastle included - and being awarded five Champions League places could again give the Toon a chance to qualify for next season's competition.

To have that chance we need to conjure up a winning run - starting against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Toon have yet to hit three goals at St James’ Park in the Premier League this season, but that run feels ready to end. Performances have been inconsistent, but sooner or later this side is going to put together a full 90-minute display.

This feels like the moment it finally clicks. That’s why my usual fiver - and prediction - is a dominant 4–0 win for the Magpies.

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