NEWCASTLE UNITED will be looking to tighten their grip on a Premier League top-four place when they pay Crystal Palace a visit on Saturday evening.
The Magpies are having one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, so much so that it has left the St James' Park faithful daring to dream about a return to the top table of European football for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Eddie Howe's side solidified their top-four credentials with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Fulham last Sunday, a goal that brought up one of my picks from my match preview.
Next up for Champions League-chasing Newcastle is the challenge of a Crystal Palace side who they have failed to get the better of in normal time in two attempts this term.
The Eagles enter this contest off the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United on Wednesday night.
That stalemate snapped a three-game losing streak for Patrick Viera's 12th placed side, so the Frenchman will be hoping that result will act as a springboard for further success when Newcastle come calling.
Outright Betting
Each of the previous two meetings between the pair this term have ended all square and the same outcome here can be backed at 13/5 (UniBet) while Crystal Palace are 16/5 (PaddyPower) outsiders.
Newcastle, who have lost just once in 19 Premier League outings this season, roll into South London as 17/20 (William Hill) shots.
Betting Angles
Newcastle will have their backers at the above-mentioned price, however I'm going to instead side with a 5/6 (Bet 365) Bet Builder by bundling together Newcastle to Score, Over Three Newcastle Corners and Over Two match Cards.
While Newcastle's success this season can be attributed to having the leanest defence in the division, they have also had plenty of success in terms of their attacking output, having hit the back of the net in 14 of their 19 top-flight outings to date.
That doesn't bode well for a Crystal Palace rearguard that have registered just one clean sheet in 10 Premier League outings at Selhurst Park this season, shipping eight strikes across their last three home games.
With that in mind, and given the visitors should be the fresher of the two sides, I'll back the Magpies to score, but to push up the price, I'll also go with 4+ Newcastle corners – a line they have reached in 15 of their 19 league games this season so far.
To round off the Bet Builder, I'll also side with referee Craig Pawson (av 4.2 Cards per-game) to flash three or more cards in what should be a keenly-contested affair under the South London lights.
The Eagles are earning an average of 2.33 cards per 90 in the Premier League this season, while the Toon's tally sits at 1.63, not to mention the above- mentioned Bet Builder would have paid out in three of Newcastle's last five league games.
One player who could be worth considering for a caution is Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier who has been priced up at 11/2 (Bet 365) to go into the referee's notebook.
The former Tottenham man has has been booked in four of his 19 Premier League appearances this season and he could be liable to add to that tally here if tasked with taming Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha
This English Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United will be played on Jan 21, 2023 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
