JAKARTA - Newcastle United, who have not been defeated at St James' Park since September 2025, will welcome Crystal Palace, who are in poor form, on Sunday, January 4. Eddie Howe's team is aiming for victory to leapfrog the London club in the Premier League standings after the 20th round.
This condition is a heavy challenge for the visiting team, considering that Palace has suffered a defeat with a total score of 9-0 in their last two visits to Newcastle, a statistic that Oliver Glasner's team does not want to remember as they struggle to end a six-game losing streak in all competitions.
Newcastle ended 2025 with a rare away win against Burnley with a score of 3-1, which was their second away win from ten attempts this season. The unsatisfactory away record is very contrasting with their performance in Tyneside, where Eddie Howe's children have recorded five wins from nine home games.
Since their defeat to Arsenal in late September, Newcastle have not lost a full point at home. With just one point separating Newcastle in 13th place with Palace, a win could see the Magpies rocket to seventh if other results go their way.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace comes with a poor record at St James' Park which stretches for almost five years, precisely since the 2-1 victory in February 2021. The Eagles have failed to score in four consecutive trips to Tyneside. Although they managed to draw Fulham 1-1 to start 2026, the result followed a string of heartbreaking defeats from Manchester City, Leeds United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
A slim hope for Palace supporters lies in their away record this season which has seen five wins, one draw and three defeats, which puts them as the fifth best away record in the competition.
The problem of player injuries is a big obstacle for both coaches. Eddie Howe has to lose many pillars such as Kieran Trippier, Emile Krafth, Sven Botman, William Osula, Jamaal Lascelles, Anthony Elanga, Dan Burn, and Valentino Livramento. However, they still have Bruno Guimaraes who has scored six league goals and Yoane Wissa who is starting to return to his best form.
Meanwhile, Palace is also suffering from a crisis with the absence of Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz, Rio Cardines, Caleb Kporha, Chris Richards, Cheick Doucoure, Eddie Nketiah, and Chadi Riad. Ismaila Sarr is also confirmed to be absent due to international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
New signing Brennan Johnson, who joined on Friday, may start on the bench. The game is expected to be tight with both teams likely to score, but Newcastle are tipped to win 2-1 to extend their home dominance over Crystal Palace.
Line-up
Newcastle United: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Canvot, Mitchell; Devenny, Pino; Mateta.
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