Match Overview

Newcastle United welcome Crystal Palace to St. James’ Park in a mid-season Premier League fixture that could tighten an already crowded mid-table picture. The hosts have shown steadier form in recent weeks and will look to leverage home support. Palace arrive aiming to arrest a dip in results while drawing confidence from flashes of attacking output and defensive resilience away from home. With little separating the sides, details at both ends are likely to decide it.

• Fixture: Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: St. James’ Park
• Date: 04-01-2026
• Kickoff: 15:00 GMT / 15:00 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Newcastle United

• N. Pope (Goalkeeper)
• M. Thiaw (Defender)
• F. Schär (Defender)
• L. Hall (Defender)
• H. Ashby (Defender)
• Bruno Guimarães (Midfielder)
• S. Tonali (Midfielder)
• Joelinton (Midfielder)
• L. Miley (Midfielder)
• H. Barnes (Attacker)
• A. Gordon (Attacker)

Crystal Palace

• D. Henderson (Goalkeeper)
• M. Lacroix (Defender)
• T. Mitchell (Defender)
• M. Guéhi (Defender)
• N. Clyne (Defender)
• A. Wharton (Midfielder)
• J. Lerma (Midfielder)
• J. Devenny (Midfielder)
• W. Hughes (Midfielder)
• J. Mateta (Attacker)
• Yeremy Pino (Attacker)

Injury & Suspension Report

Newcastle United

• V. Livramento – Knee Injury
• A. Elanga – Knee Injury
• S. Botman – Lower Back Injury
• K. Trippier – Hamstring Injury
• J. Lascelles – Muscle Injury
• D. Burn – Chest Injury
• E. Krafth – Knee Injury
• W. Osula – Ankle Injury

Crystal Palace

• C. Richards – Foot Injury
• W. Hughes – Injury
• I. Sarr – International duty
• D. Muñoz – Knee Injury
• C. Doucouré – Knee Injury
• C. Riad – Knee Injury
• Rio Cardines – Muscle Injury
• Caleb Kporha – Back Injury
• E. Nketiah – Thigh Injury
• D. Kamada – Hamstring Injury

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings have tended to be tight, with an average of just under two goals across the last ten clashes. Historically, Newcastle hold the edge with 18 wins from 40 encounters, while Crystal Palace have 10 victories and 12 draws. The last league meeting on April 16 ended 5–0 to Newcastle, a reminder of the hosts’ ceiling when they click.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Newcastle enter with a modest but encouraging run, taking two wins and a draw in their last five and scoring seven in that span. The shape of their game is built on quick transitions and width, and the expected XI suggests similar principles: Bruno Guimarães, S. Tonali, Joelinton and L. Miley provide a varied midfield profile to control tempo and spring A. Gordon and H. Barnes into space. Defensive availability remains a consideration given multiple injuries, but N. Pope’s presence stabilises the back line anchored by M. Thiaw and F. Schär.

Newcastle eye home advantage to outpace Crystal Palace

Little separates these sides in the table, and Newcastle will target marginal gains at St. James’ Park. Their previous 5–0 success in this fixture offers a tactical blueprint: assertive pressing, early service to wide forwards, and midfield runners in support. If the hosts can pin Palace deep and win second balls, they should generate volume from the flanks where Barnes and Gordon thrive.

Dean Henderson’s away record boosts Palace’s resilience

Crystal Palace have one win across their last five, with a narrow 1–0 defeat at Tottenham highlighting a team that stays in games. Dean Henderson’s nine clean sheets in 14 away matches underline a dependable last line, particularly when the back four sits compact with M. Guéhi and T. Mitchell protecting central areas. Going forward, six goals in their last five and J. Mateta’s season tally point to counterattacking potential, aided by Yeremy Pino’s ability to break lines.

Woltemade’s recent brace hints at Newcastle’s attacking momentum

N. Woltemade’s double in the 2–2 draw with Chelsea speaks to Newcastle’s improving edge in tight moments. Even if the finishing spread shifts to Gordon or Barnes here, the collective confidence in creating and converting chances appears to be trending up. The key will be sustaining pressure without leaving gaps for Palace’s direct breaks, especially with A. Wharton and J. Lerma capable of springing transitions.

Prediction: A competitive match with phases of Newcastle pressure against disciplined Palace defending. The hosts’ broader chance creation and set-piece threat tip a narrow verdict. Newcastle United 2–1 Crystal Palace.