Newcastle United must inject some impetus into their toiling season on Sunday once they go to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (14:00 BST) within the Premier League.
The Magpies have had three weeks to stew on their loss to bitter rivals Sunderland final day out. Eddie Howe’s aspect have struggled for consistency this season, but they continue to be simply 4 factors off the highest seven going into the ultimate stretch of top-flight video games.
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As for Palace, with Premier League security just about secured, their focus is on European competitors – on Thursday they beat Fiorentina 3-0 at residence within the first leg of their Convention League quarter-final.
Palace priorities elsewhere?
There have been instances this season when Palace’s marketing campaign has threatened to spiral uncontrolled. However their depleted squad and departing head coach Oliver Glasner have nearly stored issues collectively.
The Eagles have a real shot at European glory within the Convention League, and that in flip would imply Europa League soccer subsequent season. So it could be no shock if Glasner’s focus was primarily on the second-leg in Florence on Thursday.
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Palace have discovered it onerous to juggle their European and home commitments this marketing campaign. They’ve solely received considered one of their 9 Premier League video games which have instantly adopted a Convention League conflict.
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That one success – in opposition to Wolves in Februrary – was additionally a uncommon one for the house crowd to get pleasure from – their solely victory previously 10 at Selhurst Park. Solely Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur – each two – have fewer residence wins this season than Palace’s three.
An enormous weak spot for them in 2025–26 has been coping with set items, and Newcastle don’t characterize an interesting match-up on that entrance.
Palace have conceded 43% of their Premier League objectives this time period from non-penalty set-pieces (15/35), which is the very best ratio of any aspect. Solely Arsenal and Manchester United have scored extra non-penalty set-piece objectives than Newcastle in the identical interval.
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Newcastle in want
At instances, this season has promised lots for Newcastle. However now it’s getting ready to tapering off.
The week earlier than the current break was billed as an enormous one for the Magpies, and whereas it began nicely with a win at Chelsea, it rapidly unravelled with a hammering by Barcelona and an agonising late loss to Sunderland.
With that in thoughts, the break could have come at time for the Newcastle squad. The identical will be mentioned for his or her supervisor Howe, who has been topic to elevated scrutiny because the season has rolled on.
The Magpies boss is getting ready to a big landmark at St James’ Park, as he closes in on the variety of wins accrued by legendary figures Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan.
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Reaching the highest of that checklist will depend for little for Howe if Newcastle don’t safe European soccer by the top of the marketing campaign although you observed.
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Having struggled away from residence earlier within the season, Newcastle could welcome a fixture away from St James’ Park, the place they’ve misplaced six of their previous 10 matches in all competitions.
On the highway, Newcastle’s total report leaves so much to be desired, however there have been indicators of enchancment earlier than the Barcelona mauling, having received 4 of their earlier 5 away matches.