Newcastle vs Crystal Palace prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-10-20 14:00.
The Premier League (PL) returns this weekend with one of the division’s most free-scoring teams taking on one of the more rigid defences. Newcastle United have already scored 20 league goals this season – the second-highest in the division ahead of the round – while they hit four past French champions PSG in their last game at St James’ Park, which contributed to their last five competitive outings producing a combined 20 match goals (W4, D1).
Recent H2H history between these two suggests that could come to a sudden halt here, with their competitive meetings last season finishing goalless after 90 minutes – that’s Newcastle’s longest successive run of 0-0 results against one single opponent. Although it’s a streak dominated by draws, that did extend the Toon Army’s unbeaten run over Crystal Palace to five competitive matches (W2, D3). They’ll gear up to try and extend that run against the backdrop of news that key midfielder Sandro Tonali could be set to receive a lengthy ban after he admitted to betting on AC Milan to win matches whilst a player there.
The hosts start the gameweek one point and place above Crystal Palace who, fittingly given the above, played out a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest in the final fixture before the international break. That extended their recent record to just one win in five matches (D2, L2), a disappointing run of form that’s not been helped by the abundance of injuries.
Palace’s ongoing injury crisis had manager Roy Hodgson questioning whether the workload in training was too heavy before the break, and with only three sides having scored fewer PL goals ahead of the round (7), it’s easy to see where these injury issues are having their biggest negative impact.
Players to watch: Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is looking to create a bit of history by becoming the first Swedish player since Freddie Ljungberg in 2005 to score in four successive PL games. Palace’s goal hopes will most likely be pinned on either Odsonne Édouard (G2) or Joachim Andersen (G2) given the pair are responsible for all of their four away PL goals this season.
Hot stat: Palace are looking to secure four straight PL clean sheets for the first time since June 2020 – that run included a 1-0 win against Newcastle United.