The visit of Newcastle United to Selhurst Park marks almost a calendar month since the Eagles last took part in a Premier League fixture.
That was the goalless draw at home to the ten men of Leeds United, but since then we have had the incredible Conference League result against Fiorentina on Thursday evening.
It was quite a night that we are all still getting over a performance and indeed stunning result that was far beyond what anyone expected against such European pedigree.
Of course, Palace will be keen to follow that up with all three points against an injury hit Newcastle side, but we would be foolish not to think that a second leg in Italy next week will be at the back of the mind.
The only negative news this week comes in the shape of Eddie Nketiah who has had an awful time with injuries since joining the club, and has effectively been ruled out for the remainder of the season by boss Oliver Glasner.
Returning to the match day squad will be Jorgen Strand Larsen and Christantus Uche who will provide valuable options for the Austrian. Cheick Doucoure remains unavailable but is expected to make a return before this campaign reaches its conclusion.
Glasner made it clear in his pre-match press conference that is not planning wholesale changes as he firmly believes his players are fresher and the best preparation for midweek will be a good performance and a good result.
The visitors travel to South London in a similar situation to Palace, having not played in three weeks and will be a challenge with their high intensity approach even though they have absentees.
Toon boss Eddie Howe will be hoping to use their remaining league games to finish as high in the table as possible with the expectation that there will be several European up for grabs this season with England currently topping the coefficient standings ahead of Spain and Germany.
🔴🦅 Match Preview
Premier League | Matchday 32
🗓 Sunday 12 April 2026 | ⏰ 14:00 BST
📍 Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace return to Premier League action this weekend looking to build on impressive momentum, as they host a struggling Newcastle United side at Selhurst Park. With both clubs hovering in mid-table and still harbouring hopes of a late push towards the European places, this feels like a pivotal afternoon in south London.
📈 Current Form & Context
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner’s side come into the match buoyed by a superb 3–0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday. Goals from Mateta, Mitchell and Sarr capped a dominant European night and extended Palace’s unbeaten home run to five matches in all competitions, all with clean sheets.
In the league, Palace sit 14th on 39 points, but remain closer to the top half than the relegation zone. Selhurst Park has quietly become a fortress under Glasner, with the Eagles conceding zero goals in their last five home games in all competitions.
Newcastle United
Newcastle arrive with confidence low after a painful 2–1 home defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne–Wear derby before the international break. That loss was their sixth defeat in nine Premier League matches, leaving Eddie Howe’s side 12th on 42 points and increasingly vulnerable to being cut adrift from the European conversation.
While Newcastle’s away form has been marginally better than their results at St James’ Park, the overall trend is worrying, with defensive frailties and key absences hampering consistency.
🩺 Team News
Crystal Palace
- OUT: Eddie Nketiah (hamstring)
- DOUBT: Cheick Doucouré (knee)
Nketiah’s setback is a blow, especially after his near-return, but Palace’s attacking trio of Sarr, Mateta and Guessand has looked sharp in recent weeks.
Newcastle United
- OUT: Bruno Guimarães (hamstring/mumps), Fabian Schär (foot infection), Sven Botman
- AVAILABLE: Sandro Tonali, Lewis Miley
Guimarães remains sidelined after illness delayed his injury recovery, while Schär recently underwent minor surgery and is expected to miss most of the run-in. Tonali’s return is a significant boost for Howe.
Officials
- Referee: Andy Madley
- Assistants: Simon Long, Craig Taylor
- Fourth official: Ruebyn Ricardo
- VAR: Craig Pawson
- Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring
⚔️ Tactical Talking Points
- Palace pressing versus Newcastle build-up: Glasner’s high-energy pressing system could test a Newcastle midfield missing Guimarães.
- Wide areas: Ismaila Sarr’s pace up against Newcastle’s full-backs could be decisive.
- Game control: Palace have led or drawn at half-time in six of their last ten matches — starting well has been key to their resurgence.
🔢 Head-to-Head
- All competitions: 57 meetings
- Newcastle wins: 31
- Crystal Palace wins: 13
- Draws: 13
The last meeting ended in a 2–0 Newcastle win at St James’ Park in January, but Selhurst Park has been a far trickier venue — three of the last four league meetings here have ended in draws, all under 2.5 goals.
🔮 Prediction
Given Palace’s formidable home defence and Newcastle’s injury-hit squad, this has all the hallmarks of a tight, tactical contest.
🟨 Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Newcastle United
A draw feels the most likely outcome, with Palace’s organisation likely to frustrate Newcastle, but the Magpies possessing enough firepower to nick a goal.
