Likely Line-up
Taylor, Heffernan, Thompson, McArthur (C), Pivas, Harrison, Bailey, Munda, Neave, Seung-Soo, Wooster.
Team News
Head Coach Adam Lawrence is expected to make minimal changes to his 4-2-3-1 setup. Defenders Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy are competing for a starting spot, while Rory Finneran could replace Miodrag Pivas in defence.
The Magpies are likely to keep faith with important players Neave and Alfie Harrison, who continue to carry much of their creative and goalscoring threat.
Pre-Match Analysis
Newcastle are yet to record a Premier League 2 Division One victory this season, joining Reading, Blackburn, West Brom, and Derby in the bottom five – but their performances have been far more competitive than results suggest.
Their defensive record (17 goals conceded) has been a concern, but offensively they’ve shown plenty of promise. The Magpies’ return of seven goals is higher than several teams currently sitting in playoff contention, reflecting their ability to create and convert chances when given space.
For Palace, maintaining intensity from the first whistle and exploiting transitions could prove decisive. The young Eagles will look to impose their style early and build on the attacking combinations that have served them so well at home this season.