| Match Details | Information |
| Competition | Premier League – (England) |
| Round | 20 |
| Date & Time | 2026-01-04, 16:00 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | St. James’ Park |
Prediction – Newcastle United
1 – 1 Crystal Palace
Recent Form
Heading into their Premier League clash, Newcastle United appears to have a stronger momentum compared to Crystal Palace based on their recent performances. Newcastle United has secured three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five league matches. Notably, they managed to achieve victories away from home against Manchester United and Sunderland, both ending 1-0, showcasing their ability to secure important wins even on difficult grounds. Additionally, a 2-1 home win against Burnley and a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at St. James’ Park highlight their resilience and capability to compete against formidable opponents. In contrast, Crystal Palace’s recent form has been inconsistent. They have recorded only one win in their last five league outings, a significant 4-1 victory away at Leeds United. However, this success is overshadowed by two home losses against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, and a narrow 2-1 defeat away at Fulham. The 1-1 draw at home against Fulham further indicates their struggles in finding consistent form and getting results, especially when compared to Newcastle’s relatively more stable performance. The lack of recent head-to-head data does not provide direct insights into how these teams match up against each other, but the current trajectory suggests Newcastle United enters the fixture with a psychological edge. With home advantage at St. James’ Park and a series of commendable results, they will likely aim to capitalize on Crystal Palace’s recent vulnerabilities to continue their positive run in the league.
Newcastle United Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Burnley Vs Newcastle United | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 3 – 4 | 5 – 10 | 48% – 52% | 1 – 0 |
| Manchester United Vs Newcastle United | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 2 – 11 | 6 – 9 | 33% – 67% | 0 – 0 |
| Newcastle United Vs Chelsea | 2-2 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 6 | 6 – 4 | 14 – 15 | 47% – 53% | 1 – 1 |
| Sunderland Vs Newcastle United | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 5 – 4 | 3 – 6 | 10 – 10 | 47% – 53% | 0 – 0 |
| Newcastle United Vs Burnley | 2-1 | 0 – 1 | 2 – 2 | 9 – 9 | 10 – 8 | 70% – 30% | 0 – 0 |
Newcastle United’s recent form in the Premier League has been a mix of resilience and inconsistency, as evidenced by their last five league matches. The team managed to secure two victories, two draws, and one defeat, showcasing their ability to compete against strong opposition while also highlighting areas needing improvement. In their 0-1 victory against Manchester United, Newcastle demonstrated defensive solidity and efficient counter-attacking play, with possession favoring them at 67%. This match underscored their ability to control the game against top-tier teams, with a notable defensive display minimizing Manchester United’s chances. Conversely, the 3-1 loss to Burnley highlighted some vulnerabilities, particularly in converting possession into effective attacking opportunities. Despite holding a slight edge in possession (52%), Newcastle struggled to create clear-cut chances, as seen from the lack of assists, and were outmatched in the clinical execution displayed by Burnley. This inconsistency was also apparent in their 2-2 draw against Chelsea, where they conceded late goals despite a competitive performance reflected in the balance of statistics such as corners and free kicks. In terms of player availability, Newcastle’s squad is relatively stable, with Tino Livramento’s knee injury being the only significant absence. This allows manager Eddie Howe to field a strong lineup, including key players such as Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton in midfield, who are crucial in dictating the tempo and transitioning from defense to attack. The predicted lineup features a balanced mix of defensive solidity and attacking flair, with the inclusion of attackers like Yoane Wissa and Harvey Barnes expected to provide the necessary speed and creativity upfront. Looking ahead to their upcoming match at St. James’ Park, Newcastle’s approach will likely focus on leveraging their home advantage and maintaining a disciplined defensive structure, while seeking to exploit opportunities on the break. The resilience shown in previous games against strong opponents suggests that with a cohesive performance, they can successfully contest and potentially secure a favorable result. However, they will need to address their inconsistency in front of goal and ensure that they capitalize on possession to produce decisive attacking outcomes.
Crystal Palace Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Crystal Palace Vs Fulham | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 5 | 6 – 3 | 11 – 12 | 40% – 60% | 1 – 1 |
| Crystal Palace Vs Tottenham Hotspur | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 2 | 3 – 2 | 8 – 8 | 62% – 38% | 0 – 1 |
| Leeds United Vs Crystal Palace | 1-4 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 3 | 9 – 5 | 13 – 6 | 53% – 47% | 1 – 0 |
| Crystal Palace Vs Manchester City | 0-3 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 0 | 2 – 2 | 8 – 11 | 39% – 61% | 0 – 2 |
| Fulham Vs Crystal Palace | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 6 – 4 | 10 – 9 | 63% – 37% | 1 – 2 |
Crystal Palace’s recent form in the Premier League has been a mixed bag, reflecting inconsistencies that have seen them secure only one win in their last five matches. The victory against Leeds United was a standout performance, where Crystal Palace demonstrated their attacking prowess with a commanding 4-1 triumph. Despite having less possession, they were clinical in front of goal, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opportunities, as evidenced by their three assists compared to Leeds’ one. However, this attacking efficiency was not replicated in other fixtures, highlighting a need for greater consistency. Defensively, Crystal Palace have shown vulnerabilities, particularly evident in their 0-3 defeat to Manchester City and the 1-2 loss against Fulham. These matches underscored a struggle against teams that maintain high possession percentages, as Palace often cede control of the ball and are forced to play on the back foot. The lack of red cards across these fixtures indicates discipline in tackling, but the frequent yellow cards, such as the three received against Tottenham, suggest a tendency toward aggressive play that could be exploited by opponents. In terms of squad composition, Crystal Palace will be missing Ismaïla Sarr due to national team commitments, which is a significant loss given his pace and creativity on the wing. The predicted lineup suggests a blend of experience and youth, with Dean Henderson likely to be pivotal between the posts. The defensive trio of Lacroix, Guéhi, and Lerma will need to be resolute to fend off Newcastle’s attacking threats. Midfielders like Tyrick Mitchell and Nathaniel Clyne are expected to provide both defensive support and forward momentum, while attackers Yéremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta will be crucial in converting chances. Overall, Crystal Palace’s strategy at St. James’ Park may hinge on their ability to transition quickly from defense to attack, leveraging the pace and skill of their forward players. However, their recent struggles against possession-heavy teams indicate that maintaining a robust defensive shape will be essential to avoid being overrun by Newcastle’s dynamic attacking unit. The absence of Sarr places additional pressure on the remaining attackers to step up and deliver a performance that can secure valuable points away from home.
Team News &
Injuries
Newcastle United Injuries & Suspensions
- Tino Livramento (Knee Injury)
Crystal Palace Injuries & Suspensions
- Ismaïla Sarr (Called Up To National Team)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record
& Summary
H2H Last 5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace | N/A | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 16 – 10 | 60% – 40% | 4 – 0 |
| Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace | N/A | 0 – 0 | 3 – 3 | 8 – 9 | 11 – 12 | 49% – 51% | 1 – 0 |
| Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace | N/A | 0 – 0 | 3 – 3 | 7 – 2 | 0 – 0 | 47% – 53% | 2 – 0 |
| Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace | N/A | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 6 – 8 | 0 – 0 | 60% – 40% | 3 – 0 |
| Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace | N/A | 0 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 3 – 15 | 8 – 13 | 40% – 60% | 0 – 0 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
The head-to-head encounters between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace reveal intriguing patterns that could shape the dynamics of their upcoming Premier League clash. Historically, Newcastle has demonstrated a relatively stronger hold in these matchups, often dominating possession and creating more goal-scoring opportunities, as evidenced by their consistently higher assist numbers in past meetings. Notably, Newcastle managed to maintain superior possession in three out of the five previous encounters, with percentages as high as 60%. This suggests a tactical approach focused on controlling the midfield, which is further supported by their higher number of free kicks in key matches. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, has shown resilience, especially in accumulating more corner kicks, indicating an ability to capitalize on set-piece situations. However, their lack of assists in these encounters highlights a potential struggle in converting possession into tangible scoring opportunities. Injury and absence reports add an interesting layer to the analysis of this upcoming fixture. Newcastle will be missing Tino Livramento due to a knee injury, a loss that could impact their defensive stability. Nevertheless, the presence of key players such as Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães is likely to bolster their midfield control, a critical factor given their historical possession advantage. Crystal Palace faces the absence of Ismaïla Sarr, who is on national duty, potentially affecting their attacking depth. The predicted lineup suggests Newcastle might continue their trend of dominating possession, with a well-rounded squad featuring both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Crystal Palace’s lineup, however, indicates a focus on a balanced approach, with players like Yéremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta providing potential breakthrough options. Ultimately, this match presents Newcastle with the opportunity to leverage past performances, while Crystal Palace will aim to counter and exploit any defensive lapses in a bid to overturn historical trends.
Predicted Lineups
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Players: Nick Pope (Goalkeeper), Lewis Hall (Defender), Fabian Schär (Defender), Malick Thiaw (Defender), Lewis Miley (Defender), Joelinton (Midfielder), Sandro Tonali (Midfielder), Bruno Guimarães (Midfielder), Yoane Wissa (Attacker), Anthony Gordon (Attacker), Harvey Barnes (Attacker)
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Players: Dean Henderson (Goalkeeper), Maxence Lacroix (Defender), Marc Guéhi (Defender), Jefferson Lerma (Defender), Tyrick Mitchell (Midfielder), Nathaniel Clyne (Midfielder), Will Hughes (Midfielder), Adam Wharton (Midfielder), Yéremy Pino (Attacker), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Attacker), Justin Devenny (Attacker)

