Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Newcastle

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: bet365

We’re starting to linger closer and closer towards the final few months of the Premier League season, and while it looks like the title race is all but over and done with, there’s still a whole lot to sort out around the rest of the top flight: including who will be relegated. The game we’re going to be looking at today will see two prime contenders for the drop going head to head, as Crystal Palace attempt to break their recent run of bad form when they take on Newcastle United at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace

For all of their quality, Palace just can’t seem to form a cohesive unit right now. They’re really struggling to find the back of the net, they’re leaking goals at the back, and there doesn’t appear to be all too much trust left in the manager. From an outsider’s perspective looking in there doesn’t seem to be much belief in their side and when that’s the case, you need a big stroke of luck or a moment of magic in order to drag yourselves out of the funk.

Team News

Tosun, Sakho, Schlupp and Tomkins are all out through injury with Maritn Kelly being a doubt. Kouyate and Meyer are both expected to feature in some form for the Eagles.

Newcastle

Newcastle tend to put in a fantastic performance once a month or so to distract from the fact that, as a unit, they haven’t quite been able to maintain the sort of consistency they were hoping for this season. They allow games to get away from them despite starting brightly, as they proved against Arsenal, and they desperately need to try and find a remedy for that. It also doesn’t help that many fans are still questioning whether or not Steve Bruce is the right man for the job.

Team News

Willems, Manquillo, Colback, Dummett, Krafth, Carroll and now Clark are all out of action with injuries whereas Gayle, Muto and Shelvey will be assessed prior to kick-off as Bruce’s selection problems continue.

Factors to Consider

• Back in December, Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
• Crystal Palace have drawn two and lost four of their last six games.
• Newcastle have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
• Crystal Palace have scored four goals and conceded 10 in their last six games.
• Newcastle have scored six goals and conceded eight in their last six games.

Conclusion

Both teams are going to be a little bit trigger shy given some of their recent results, but we actually think there’s more pressure on Palace than Newcastle given the run Roy Hodgson’s men have been on as of late. Still, we can see Newcastle having more than a few lapses in concentration which should offer up enough opportunities to the hosts for them to take advantage – but with the Magpies having a great presence up top, we’re going to put our weight behind a 1-1 draw.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: bet365