Chris Sutton has given his verdict on Newcastle United's away clash at Crystal Palace this Sunday.
The Magpies head to Selhurst Park on Sunday off the back of their damaging 2-1 defeat to derby rivals Sunderland during the international break. That has left them 12th in the table, with season-long inconsistent form meaning they’re seven points off what is now guaranteed to be a fifth and final Champions League spot, with just seven games to go.
With that in mind, Eddie Howe’s men simply cannot afford another slip-up, especially against a side just three points behind them in the table with a game in hand, and unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions.
Palace head into the game off the back of a 3-0 win at home to Fiorentina in their Uefa Conference League quarter-final first leg, with the second leg to come this Thursday.
Chris Sutton makes Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United prediction
Newcastle have enjoyed their last two trips to London, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in mid-February, before beating Chelsea 1-0 almost a month ago. What’s more, they’ve won their last two matches against Crystal Palace by a 7-0 combined scoreline and are unbeaten in their last three meetings.
But despite Palace’s demanding continental commitments, former Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton doesn’t think they’ll be having quite so much fun this time, tipping them for a 1-1 draw that, in all honesty, wouldn’t be enough to help Newcastle’s European aspirations.
“This game is sandwiched between both legs of Crystal Palace's Europa Conference tie with Fiorentina and, now that they are effectively safe from relegation, I wonder if Eagles boss Oliver Glasner will prioritise Europe?” Sutton wrote in his predictions column for BBC Sport.
“That should increase Newcastle's chances, but I am not convinced by their recent form, especially on the road. They have won on their past two visits to the capital, against Tottenham and Chelsea, but I don't see them getting three points here.
“Eddie Howe needs a strong end to the season, but the fact they have lost both derby games against Sunderland, and are below them in the table too, is not really helping him. I certainly don't think his job should be at risk but there are a few fans who do.”
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