The first home league game of the new year feels heavier than it probably should. Not because of the opposition, but because of what Newcastle United still haven’t managed to do often enough this season: build anything resembling.
Crystal Palace arrive at St James’ Park at a time when United are crying out for back to back league wins. It has only happened once all campaign. That single fact frames this fixture far more than the league table does.
Palace will not come to be entertained. They will be organised, compact and patient, content to let us have the ball if it means protecting central areas and waiting for mistakes. It is a test we have failed more than once this season.
The win at Burnley at Turf Moor, only the second away victory of the league campaign, offered relief rather than reassurance. Useful, necessary, but hardly convincing. Eddie Howe’s reaction afterwards, bristling at the suggestion his lads were second best for the majority of the game, hints at a manager feeling the pressure rather than riding momentum.
Now the focus shifts back to home soil, which, while better than our abysmal away form, has not produced nearly enough consistency as we need to climb the table.
Recent form
Newcastle United come into this game with points on the board but questions still unanswered. Wins have tended to arrive without authority, defeats without much resistance. The recent win against Burnley, where an explosive start was followed by fragile defending, weak control in midfield and reliance on opposition mistakes to limp over the line, indicative of our season thus far. An inability to string results together has left the season hovering in place, close enough to feel promise, fragile enough to feel one bad run away from trouble.
For their part, Palace’s form has been uneven, but not alarming. Away from home they can spring upsets, as evidenced by their recent 1-1 draw away to table-topping Arsenal. They have taken points where opportunities have presented themselves and been punished heavily when stretched, as Manchester City did to them recently in a 3-0 win. They are not a side in freefall, nor one playing with reckless confidence. They are, above all, awkward opposition.
Team news
- Lewis Hall is expected to be OK for the upcoming match against Palace despite appearing to pick up an ankle knock in the win against Burnley.
- Will Osula is now not expected to return to availability until the end of January following his own ankle issues.
- Both Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento are close to making a full return with both players pushing to be available.
- Sven Botman and Anthony Elanga have both been described as “very close” to making a return.
- Dan Burn remains out with the rib and lung injury sustained against Sunderland.
Predicted XI
What did Eddie say
On Crystal Palace
“It will be a difficult game.Their away form is very good, a very good defensive team.
Solid, tough to score against and they have got good attackers the other way as well.
They are a team we won’t underestimate but it is a game we can do well in, if we can play to our best levels.”
On the importance of January
“This is going to be a season defining month for us with very minimal rest between games.
You look at the month as a whole and it has some great games for us.
Some really mouthwatering occasions but we’ve got some tough challenges ahead and certainly the start of the month has to be a fruitful one.”
On the Burnley win
“There was a period of 10 or 15 minutes where we were turning the ball over a little bit too much and that gave them confidence and belief to come back into the game.
That’s frustrating from our perspective having got a two goal lead after ten minutes, I expected us to go on and consolidate in that moment.
We have our themes and areas that we’re focusing on and trying to implement at the moment that will make us stronger and better.”
On Lewis Hall
“He should be OK. We’ll have a closer look at him today.
He’s an important player for us.He’s technically excellent. An attacking, front foot defender and he’s only going to get better the more games he plays.
Fitness wise he’s getting his very best form back..
He’s a real talent and we need to try and keep him on the pitch.”
On returning players
“We have got a couple of training days but Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier have worked really well. They have had a couple of recovery periods so they’re both close.
Emil Krafth is further back.
Sven Botman and Anthony Elanga are both very close.
Sven has been training with the group which has been great so I envisage him being in and around this [Crystal Palace] game.
Anthony hasn’t trained with us yet but is very close to doing so.”
On claims of an “onslaught” against Burnley
“An onslaught on… (who?) Against us? Have you seen the stats of the game? You must’ve been watching a different game then.
There was no onslaught. Yes there were moments in both ways (for both teams), and if it was an onslaught I would give my opinion, would say it was.”
Key battles
- Midfield tempo, not possession: Palace are comfortable without the ball. They will sit in a compact mid block and wait for the moment to jump. This makes the central midfield battle less about who has more touches and more about who dictates the speed of the game. Our midfield needs to play forward earlier and cleaner. Slow circulation and sideways passing will only allow Palace to settle and frustrate. The first forward pass after regaining possession will matter more than prolonged spells of control.
- Creativity between the lines vs Palace’s block: Palace defend narrow and protect the central corridor well. They are happy to allow crosses from deep if it means keeping runners out of the box. We must find ways to receive between the lines and force Palace’s centre halves to step out. If we rely solely on wide deliveries, Palace will defend the box comfortably and turn pressure into counter attacks.
- Penalty box presence: This game is likely to be decided in the boxes. Palace will defend deep and absorb pressure. Newcastle must turn territory into shots, not just corners. That means runners attacking the six yard area, second balls being picked up quickly, and a willingness to shoot when the picture appears. Pressure without threat has been a recurring theme this season. Palace will happily survive it again if allowed.
Predictions and what to expect
Expect a game that tests patience before it tests quality.
Crystal Palace are unlikely to press high for long periods. They will sit in a compact shape, protect the centre, and wait for us to show our hand. If we move the ball slowly or drift into predictable patterns, this will feel uncomfortable and flat for long spells. If the lads play with tempo, run beyond the ball and commit bodies into the box, Palace will eventually have to retreat deeper than they want to.
St James’ Park should have a role to play here. Early intensity, early pressure and an early chance would change the dynamic quickly. A slow opening, on the other hand, risks feeding Palace exactly the type of game they are built to manage.
This is unlikely to be free flowing or pretty. It feels like a match decided by moments rather than dominance. The first goal matters enormously. If we manage to score first, Palace will have to open up and spaces will appear. If they do not, the tension will grow and the game becomes increasingly awkward.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Crystal Palace
