- Palace have chance to draw level on points with Newcaslte
- Eagles have struggled in league games following European fixtures
- History suggests a draw most likely result
Former Premier League player Paul Merson has predicted that Crystal Palace may put their Premier League clash with Newcastle United to one side to focus on the Conference League. The Arsenal legend claims a European trophy is “all Palace care about”.
These words were published prior to Palace’s 3-0 first-leg win, which came as a surprise to some neutrals, who potentially overestimated the current abilities of Fiorentina’s side.
It is true that Palace have often struggled in Premier League games that follow midweek action. Since the Conference League phase began, Palace have won just once after playing on a Thursday night, after nine games.
However, with such a commanding lead to take to Florence next week, it is unlikely that Palace will drop too many starters out of the side to face Newcastle at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Palace Look to Pile Pressure on Howe
Newcastle have had a difficult season, perhaps failing to meet the expectations their fanbase had going into the campaign. Last time out, bitter rivals Sunderland secured the league double over their rivals, winning 2-1 at St James’ Park.
The Toon have had a lengthy break since that defeat, no longer competing in the Champions League after their collapse against Barcelona at Camp Nou, losing 7-2.
Eddie Howe is under immense pressure, and if he fails to qualify Newcastle for European football this year, there is a high chance he will find himself without a job in the summer. Currently five points off Brentford in 7th, wins need to come fast, and in succession if the Geordies are to continue cheering Howe on.
Merson Predicts
Merson reckons Glasner will prioritise the second leg against Fiorentina and that will lead to a defeat. He wrote for Sportskeeda on the day of the first leg victory:
Crystal Palace play tonight in the Europa Conference League. So you never know what line-up they will play against Newcastle.
“In all honesty, Palace’s season comes down to the Europa Conference League quarter-final against Fiorentina. That trophy is the only thing they care about.”
Merson alluded to Newcastle’s Tyne-Wear derby defeat:
Newcastle had a really poor result against Sunderland last time out. If they had won that game, they would be on 45 points now, just four behind Liverpool in fifth. I’m not saying it was poor simply because it was the derby, but just for what a lift in the table that win could have given them.“
He added:
“I’m backing Newcastle to win here. Like I said before, I doubt Palace will play their strongest team since they have their eyes on the Europa Conference League.”
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle
Tale of the Tape
Newcastle have proven to be somewhat of a bogey team for Palace, the Toon winning 5 of the last ten meetings. Four draws in that time means the South London side have seen victory just once in that time, a 2-0 win in the 2023/24 season which came at Sunday’s venue.
Outside of that rare victory, this fixture tends to churn up either one of two results. Newcastle will dominate and win comfortably, especially at home, or it will be a tight matchup that ends in a draw. Despite the general fear of this side for Palace fans, Newcastle’s last win at Selhurst Park came all the way back in 2020, and before that, you have to go as deep into the past as 2014.
Three of the last four games between the two sides at Selhurst have ended in a draw, and so that outcome is certainly a likelihood on Sunday afternoon.
The game kicks off at 14:00, Palace having the chance to go level on points with their opposite number should they win.
