Newcastle United v Palace

[Ragatino]

Head-to-head

Newcastle have kept a clean sheet in their last three home league matches against Crystal Palace and in six of the last eight versus the Eagles at St James' Park.

Palace have only won one of their last seven league games against the Geordies (D4, L2).

In the reverse fixture Newcastle drew 1-1 despite having just one shot, with their goal coming via a Marc Guehi own goal. It was only the eighth time since records were kept from 2003-04 that a side had avoided defeat despite having one shot or fewer in a Premier League match.

Newcastle United

Since 14 December, only Liverpool (41) have won more top-flight points than Newcastle's 36 (W12, L4), and the Reds have played two more games than the Magpies in that period.

The Geordies have selected the same starting XI in their last five games, all of which they have won.

They have lost just one of their last 12 midweek home league fixtures (W8, D3).

Harvey Barnes has been involved in nine goals in his last 11 league starts (seven goals, two assists).

Jacob Murphy has scored seven goals and assisted eight in his last 17 top-flight appearances. He is the first Newcastle player to reach 10 assists in the Premier League via open play since Laurent Robert's 11 in 2001-02 .

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace could score in 14 top-flight games in succession for only the third time after August to November 1979, and between May and October 1991.

Defeat to Manchester City on Saturday was only their fourth in their last 20 league games. It also ended their club record run of 10 away top-flight matches without defeat.

Palace's tally of 15 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) is the most by a Premier League side this season.

Eberechi Eze has contributed two goals and six assists in his last 11 league games.

[Zippity]

Sort of game that, if we're genuine top 4 contenders, we should be winning given the 'harder' games ahead.

Hopefully Palace will have their eyes on the FA Cup final albeit that's a week and a half away.

[Ragatino]

Sort of game that, if we're genuine top 4 contenders, we should be winning given the 'harder' games ahead.

Hopefully Palace will have their eyes on the FA Cup final albeit that's a week and a half away.

Again it's in our hands, we're better than them, we're at home. It's a night match under the lights, the Toon army will have had a few beers and will are on form and we will win.

Absolutely agree that we have to win this to consider ourselves top 4 contenders.

[Sclox]

No-one on any Palace forum sees them winning. I agree. I think we wrap this up by half time then rest the men for Villa.

But make no mistake, this team is capable of giving us a game if they get a sniff. Hard and fast from the whistle.

[Zippity]

Sounds like a great atmosphere on the radio.

...wow, wow, WOW!!! What a strike.

Take a bow, Jacob Murphy.

[Sclox]

Murphy is inspired.

Do we really need a RW?

Terrific.

[coastferret]

never a pen

[Zippity]

Awful by Pope, though.

And that penalty deserved to be saved.

[Sclox]

From posssible 1-1 to 2 nil. Get in. Wow.

[Zippity]

Yeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssss!

Palace were pressing high and I worry about us when teams do that so that's taken the pressure off a little.