English Premier
2026-01-04 - Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 4th January 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
This game is live on TV
Newcastle United
The away performances have been a real factor in Newcastle United's current Premier League position and so Eddie Howe will have been really pleased to see his side round off 2025 with an impressive victory on their travels. If they can build upon that success at Turf Moor, Newcastle United will still feel they can achieve plenty in the second half of this campaign, which begins on Sunday.
The Magpies are 13th in the Premier League table, but there are only 4 points between Newcastle United and 5th placed Chelsea, which could still offer Champions League Football again next season. They have a 5-2-2 record at St James' Park in the Premier League and the manager will be looking for Newcastle United to really improve on that over the coming months to push up the table.
Newcastle United failed to win any of 3 Premier League games before ending the run by beating Burnley for a second time in December. They have won 8 of the last 10 games at St James' Park in all competitions since losing to Arsenal in September, but even those two exceptions will frustrate Eddie Howe as Newcastle United conceded late in injury time in a 2-2 draw with Spurs and blew a 2-0 lead against Chelsea in another 2-2 draw.
Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Anthony Elanga are expected to return soon to bolster the squad, but this weekend may be too early. Sven Botman and Lewis Hall are hoping to be involved.
Crystal Palace
It has been a very difficult month for Crystal Palace as the squad has been stretched by injury and international call-ups, while also having a heavier fixture schedule than other top flight clubs. The manager will be hoping the board are ready to back him in the January transfer window, but Oliver Glasner looks set to leave the club in the summer and so the funds may not be as readily available as he would like.
Recent form has seen Crystal Palace slip back into 10th place in the Premier League table, but they are still in touch with clubs chasing UEFA places in the Division. The Eagles have been disappointed with the form shown at Selhurst Park in the first half of the campaign, but they have put together a 5-1-3 away record to keep themselves flying as close to the European spots as they have been.
Crystal Palace have not won any of the last 6 games in all competitions and failed to hold onto an early lead in the 1-1 draw with Fulham on New Year's Day. The side had won 3 away games in a row in all competitions, but have lost a Penalty Shoot Out at Arsenal in the League Cup Quarter Final and been beaten heavily at Leeds United in the Premier League since then.
Chris Richards and Will Hughes are doubts, while Eddie Nketiah is not expected to be available. Brennan Johnson has been a big signing made by Crystal Palace in this January window and is set to travel with his new team-mates.
Head to Head
Newcastle United took four points from Crystal Palace last season with the majority earned in a 5-0 home win.
They are now unbeaten in 5 at St James' Park against Crystal Palace and have won 3 of those fixtures.
Prediction
Both of these clubs are hoping to become regular names in European competition in the years ahead, although the Newcastle United ambitions remain a little higher than those at Crystal Palace.
Both clubs won silverware in a memorable 2025, but the first half of this season has been a little up and down as squad depth has perhaps been exposed.
In recent years home advantage in the Premier League has not been as strong a factor as previously, but that is not the case for Newcastle United in 2025/26. The Magpies have been much better at home than on their travels, although they are expected to be tested by a Crystal Palace team that have found their best results away from Selhurst Park.
However, Crystal Palace have not enjoyed this long journey to the North East in recent times.
They have not only failed to win any of the last 5 visits to St James' Park, but the fans have not even seen a single goal in that time. Add to that is the fact Crystal Palace have lost 4-0 and 5-0 in the last two campaigns at this ground and this is looking like it could become another tough test.
The signing of Brennan Johnson looks a decent bit of business for Crystal Palace who will soon have Ismaila Sarr back from the African Cup of Nations too. Unfortunately for Oliver Glasner, that is not the case in early January and Crystal Palace's squad still looks a little thin, which gives the momentum to Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe has guided his team to a 10 game unbeaten run at home, during which time Newcastle United have won 8 times, and they have shown plenty of goal-scoring power. That may be the difference again and Newcastle United can pick up three vital points in their bid to continue moving up the Premier League standings.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Newcastle United 2-0 Crystal Palace
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Newcastle United to Win & Over 1 Total Goal (Bet Builder) at 1.95 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)
