LAGOS – In an early match of the day, a struggling Crystal Palace will host Newcastle United. This game is scheduled for Selhurst Park. Both sides are having rough patches, but its hosts Crystal Palace with a worse record, not only between these two, but in the entire English Premier League 2024/25.
Crystal Palace have been bad this season, from the start. In 12 games, they have won only one, lost 50% of the games, and drew five. They are trying late to cope-up, and have lost only one of their last four league games. If they don’t get positive results in this game, the risk of relegation will become stronger.
Newcastle United had a promising start, but are finding it dull in the last few. They won two of their past five games, but have lost the other three.
In 12 of their own games, they have won five, drew three, and lost four. A win here will see them near the top four, and it very much looks possible, as they are the obvious favourites despite playing away from home.
Crystal Palace have a long list of players missing this game, some injured, one facing suspension. Danachi Kamada is suspended; France, Riad, Wharton, and Nketiah are sidelined for sure owing to injury. Eberechi Eze is doubtful.
Newcastle United FC too have some players injured and out: Sven Botman, Lascelles, and Emil Krafth are out. Willock and Guimaraes are also doubtful.
In head-to-head, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United have met a total of 56 times to date. In those meetings, Crystal Palace won 13 games only and Newcastle United won 31 games. 12 matches ended in a draw.
Records indicate that Newcastle United have been the dominant side. The two sides first met in 1907, and last in this year.
However, Marc Guehi is one player to watch out in Crystal Palace team. The 24-year-old captain is the only shining star in the defense. His consistency might be key to him getting the leader’s role at this young age. He even has goals against Everton FC and Wolves.
His defensive skills will be further put to the test in the Newcastle United game, as they have good forwards, who might otherwise find it easy to strike if it was not him. He needs to play a game while keeping cool and try to make error-free interceptions.
On the other team is Anthony Gordon. The Number 10 player can be used anywhere in the forward line, be it in the wings or as a centre-forward. So, his versatility has been a big plus, but again his form is a minus. In 11 games he just has two goals and an assist. But, not to forget a goal came against Manchester City and an assist against Arsenal. This makes him effective against big teams.
Gordon needs to find the back of the net against other teams too. His inconsistency has been a thing to worry about. Seeing the leaky defense of Crystal Palace, he must look to find his form here at Selhurst Park.
Despite it being an away game, Newcastle United are expected to have an easy win. Firstly, because they have good form, neatly, they have better players, and lastly, Crystal Palace with their leaky defense wouldn’t stand a chance. However, some fight from Crystal Palace would be expected as they are playing at home.
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