Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Buoyed by a long-overdue trophy, Newcastle United dismantled Manchester United 4:1 at home over the weekend. A victory over Crystal Palace in this rescheduled Matchweek 29 clash would propel them into third place, overtaking Nottingham Forest. The motivation clearly lies with the home side, particularly when compared to a mid-table opponent.
Newcastle United
Since 10 March, Newcastle United have put together five wins on the bounce, scoring a total of 12 goals in that period. In April alone, Newcastle United have generated 8.35 xG across three league fixtures — the highest tally in the English Premier League — and have scored nine times, making them the most potent attacking side in the division over that span. In the match against Manchester United, Newcastle United fielded their strongest eleven, with Harvey Barnes scoring twice and the team producing 2.16 xG across 90 minutes.
Crystal Palace
Before their visit to Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Crystal Palace were in contention for a top-10 finish in the English Premier League. However, a heavy 2:5 defeat to Manchester City laid bare some serious defensive frailties, as they conceded 3.63 xGA in that game alone. Earlier in April, the squad could only manage a 1:1 draw with struggling Southampton, further suggesting that their defensive issues may resurface on Wednesday. The return of key players such as Marc Guéhi and Eddie Nketiah could offer some stability, but the 3-4-2-1 setup remains vulnerable.
Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace Prediction
In their most recent encounter at St James’ Park, Newcastle United ran out comprehensive 4:0 winners over Crystal Palace. Given the hosts’ current form, backing their individual Total Over goals appears to be a sound option.
