Crystal Palace welcome Newcastle United to Selhurst Park on Sunday with kick-off at 2pm. Pierre Sage remains under considerable pressure following a difficult start to his Palace tenure, although Thursday's 2-2 Europa League draw against Besiktas offered encouragement after last weekend's humiliating 5-0 defeat at Brighton.
Palace twice fought back in Istanbul, with Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring second-half goals. However, defensive mistakes again prevented the Eagles from securing victory, with Wilfred Ndidi allowed to advance untracked from midfield for Besiktas' opener before Junior Olaitan equalised.
Those problems have been evident throughout Palace's Premier League campaign. Their three home fixtures have produced six goals scored and eight conceded, with defeats against Manchester City and Ipswich followed by a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The underlying numbers are concerning. Palace have conceded 7.07 xGA across those three matches, averaging 2.36 per game, while opponents have repeatedly found space in dangerous attacking positions.
Newcastle have experienced similar difficulties away from St James' Park. Matthias Jaissle's side opened with a 2-0 victory at Tottenham but subsequently suffered consecutive 4-1 defeats against Leeds and Coventry.
The defeat at Coventry was particularly frustrating because Newcastle generated 2.27 xG from 19 attempts. Their ability to create opportunities has not been matched by sufficient defensive organisation, leaving them vulnerable despite promising attacking performances.
With both sides struggling to maintain defensive control, Sunday's meeting could provide opportunities at either end.
How the bookies view it
Newcastle are marginal favourites at 7/5, implying a 41.7% probability of victory. Crystal Palace are available at 19/10 (34.5%), while the draw is 11/4 (26.7%).
Over 2.5 goals is priced at 13/20 (60.6%), with under 2.5 goals available at 17/13 (43.3%). Both teams to score is 11/20 (64.5%), while both teams to score No is 31/20 (39.2%).
Head to head: Newcastle hold the advantage
Crystal Palace won the most recent meeting between these sides, beating Newcastle United 2-1 at Selhurst Park on 12 April 2026. However, Newcastle had won the previous two encounters, recording a 2-0 home victory in January 2026 and a comprehensive 5-0 success in April 2025.
The last six Premier League meetings have produced three Newcastle victories, two Palace wins and one draw. Both teams have scored in just two of those six matches, while three have featured over 2.5 goals.
Palace have enjoyed a stronger recent record at Selhurst Park, remaining unbeaten in their last four home league meetings with Newcastle, winning twice and drawing twice. Newcastle's last Premier League victory at Palace came in November 2020, when they won 2-0.
Player to watch: Yeremy Pino goalscoring threat for Eagles
Yeremy Pino scored his fourth goal of the season during Palace's 2-2 draw against Besiktas, continuing to demonstrate his importance to Sage's attacking plans.
The Spanish international has created eight chances across seven Premier League appearances, accumulating 0.72 xA alongside 0.92 xG. Those figures highlight his contribution both as a creator and when moving into scoring positions.
His strongest league performance came against Nottingham Forest, when he scored, created three chances and generated 0.35 xG. He also created three opportunities against Fulham, recording 0.30 xA.
Pino has registered eight shots, including two on target, across 455 Premier League minutes. His shooting volume is relatively modest, but his movement and ability to create opportunities make him an important attacking outlet.
Predicted lineups
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Benitez; Canvot, Richards, Ahanor; Khalaili, Wharton, Timber, Mitchell; Kamada, Pino; Mateta.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Hornicek; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Joelinton, Gonzalez; Barnes, Willock, Fernandez-Pardo; Wissa.
Anything else catch the eye?
Palace's performance against Besiktas demonstrated that their attacking confidence has not completely disappeared. Mateta scored his first goal of the campaign, while Pino continued his productive form, but the defensive mistakes that have undermined their Premier League performances remained evident.
At Selhurst Park, Palace have conceded 54 shots across three league fixtures, including 21 on target. More concerning is the quality of those opportunities, with opponents creating 16 big chances.
Newcastle's defensive statistics are hardly reassuring. The visitors have conceded 4.87 xGA across three away matches, allowing 41 shots, including 25 from inside the penalty area.
Those figures suggest Palace should have opportunities, particularly if they can reproduce the attacking intensity displayed in Turkey.
Newcastle have generated 4.00 xG across their three away fixtures, demonstrating sufficient attacking potential to trouble a Palace defence that has struggled against opponents willing to commit players forward.
There are additional concerns for the hosts. Jorgen Strand Larsen was forced off injured following a heavy challenge against Besiktas, leaving his availability uncertain. Thursday's European trip also means Palace have limited recovery time before Sunday's fixture.
The strongest argument for the combined goals market is the consistency of both teams' scoring and conceding patterns. All three Palace home league matches have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals, while the same combination has landed in two of Newcastle's three away fixtures.
Palace have scored in every home league match despite their inconsistent results, while Newcastle have found the net in all three away fixtures. Neither defence has demonstrated sufficient reliability to suggest that Sunday's opponents will struggle to create opportunities.
The main concern is Palace's demanding European schedule and the uncertainty surrounding Strand Larsen's fitness. Nevertheless, their improved attacking display in Istanbul and Newcastle's vulnerability on the road support a contest in which both sides contribute.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 17/20 is the selection.
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Utd Betting Tips & Predictions
Further Reading
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- Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur Prediction and Betting Tips – 24/10/2026
- Coventry City vs Fulham Prediction and Betting Tips – 24/10/2026
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