Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Jan 4 – Can Newcastle Pile Misery on Freefalling Palace?

St. James’ Park braces itself for a mid-table tussle that feels far more significant than the league standings suggest. The hosts, currently sitting 10th, enter 2026 with renewed hope, fresh off a morale-boosting victory to close out the year after a patchy spell. In contrast, the visitors are reeling, enduring a dismal five-match winless streak across all competitions that has seen them slide to 11th. It is a clash of Eddie Howe’s high-octane pressing intensity against Oliver Glasner’s sophisticated but currently stuttering tactical system.

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace Match Details at a Glance

Injury News and Suspensions

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe’s medical team is working overtime as the treatment room remains overcrowded. The defensive line is particularly battered; Daniel Burn (rib) and Valentino Livramento (knee) are ruled out until mid-January, while Kieran Trippier (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (knee) are targeting early January returns but remain doubtful. Captain Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are also doubtful with muscle and back issues respectively. Further up the pitch, Anthony Elanga is nursing a knock, and William Osula is out until mid-January with an ankle injury.

Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner faces a similar crisis, with key components of his system unavailable. The dynamic Daichi Kamada is a long-term absentee with a hamstring injury, not expected back until late February. The midfield engine is missing Cheick Oumar Doucouré (knee) until mid-January. Defensively, Chadi Riad (ACL) is out, while Daniel Munoz (knee) and Rio Cardines (muscle) are targeting mid-January returns. To add to the woes, Caleb Kporha and Chris Richards are significant doubts, further stretching a thin squad.

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Records

Form Guide

Newcastle United

The Magpies have been the definition of inconsistent this season. Sitting 10th, they haven’t quite hit the heights of previous campaigns, but ending 2025 with a victory has provided a much-needed injection of confidence. Under Howe, their identity remains clear: high energy, aggressive pressing, and rapid transitions. Anthony Gordon continues to be a livewire in attack, providing the pace and directness that unsettles defenses, while Harvey Barnes offers a goal threat from midfield. Youngster Lewis Miley has been identified as a key defensive figure, showing maturity beyond his years. However, their reliance on a core group due to injuries has led to fatigue and a dip in consistency that they are desperate to correct.

Crystal Palace

The Eagles are currently flying with clipped wings. A five-match winless run has dampened the optimism surrounding Glasner’s project, leaving them in 11th place with 26 points. While their style remains tactically sophisticated, utilizing a back-three to control spaces and create width, the execution has faltered. They are struggling to convert chances, and the absence of key personnel has exposed a lack of squad depth. Jean-Philippe Mateta remains their focal point up top, and Yeremy Pino tries to create from midfield, but the intricate system looks fragile without its primary operators. They need a result quickly to stop the rot.

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Key Battles

Anthony Gordon vs Nathaniel Clyne

For the home side, Anthony Gordon is the primary spark. His blistering pace and relentless work rate embody Howe’s philosophy. Gordon will look to isolate his marker on the flank, drive to the byline, or cut inside to shoot. He thrives on the chaos of transition, and if the Magpies win the ball high up the pitch, Gordon is the first outlet they look for.

Tasked with stopping him is the experienced Nathaniel Clyne. Likely operating on the right side of Glasner’s defense, Clyne has the football intelligence to read the game, but he faces a severe physical test against the younger, faster Gordon. Clyne must position himself perfectly to deny Gordon space to run into. If he gets too tight and is rolled, or if he drops too deep and allows Gordon to shoot, the hosts will punish him. This battle of youth vs experience on the wing could define the Magpies’ attacking success.

Fabian Schär vs Jean-Philippe Mateta

Fabian Schär is the organizer of the Newcastle backline. With so many defensive injuries, his leadership and ball-playing ability are crucial. He needs to marshal a makeshift defense while dealing with a physical striker. Schär likes to step out with the ball, but he cannot afford to be casual here; one slip and the Eagles are in.

Opposing him is Jean-Philippe Mateta, the visitors’ battering ram. Mateta is physical, good in the air, and capable of holding up the ball to bring others into play, vital for Glasner’s system which relies on efficient transitions. He will try to bully Schär physically and dominate aerial duels. If Mateta can pin Schär back and create space for runners like Pino, the visitors might just snatch a result.

Tactical Outlook

Eddie Howe will almost certainly set his team up to press from the first whistle. Utilizing a 4-3-3 shape, the Magpies will look to suffocate the visitors’ build-up play, forcing errors in dangerous areas. With Tonali and Guimaraes in midfield, they have the quality to control possession, but their main weapon will be the speed of Gordon and Barnes on the break. The concern for Howe is the defensive transition; with so many injuries at the back, a coordinated counter-press is essential to protect the goalkeeper.

Oliver Glasner’s side will likely stick to their 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation, despite the poor form. They will try to absorb the early pressure and use the width provided by wing-backs like Mitchell to stretch the hosts. The key for the Eagles is bypass the Newcastle press. If Wharton and Hughes can circulate the ball quickly to Pino and Mateta, they can expose the space behind the Magpies’ high line. However, their recent struggles suggest a fragility when possession is lost, something Howe will be keen to exploit.

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace Possible Playing Squad

Newcastle United Playing XI:

Pope (GK), Hall, Schär, Thiaw, Miley, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Wissa, Gordon

Crystal Palace Playing XI:

Henderson (GK), Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Wharton, Hughes, Pino, Devenny, Mateta

Match Prediction

St. James’ Park is a fortress that rallies when the team needs it most. The Magpies’ high-energy style is tailor-made to disrupt a Palace side lacking confidence and rhythm. While the visitors have the tactical setup to frustrate, their injury list and poor form suggest they will struggle to cope with the intensity of the hosts for a full 90 minutes.

Score Prediction

Newcastle United 2–0 Crystal Palace; The Magpies’ pressing and home support should be enough to overcome a disjointed Eagles side, with Gordon likely providing the decisive moments.

Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.