Newcastle vs Crystal Palace prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-09-02 14:00.
Itâs been a steady if unremarkable start for Newcastle United this season, but Wednesday nightâs agonising defeat away to Liverpool – when they were without three of their top players and were aggrieved at goal harshly ruled out by VAR – illustrated that Eddie Howe has made competitive improvements to his side, as he looks to close the gulf in quality between the Magpies and the âBig 6â. Just a solitary victory in their opening five Premier League (PL) fixtures (D3, L1) might not have been the start they wanted, but their fans will argue theyâve had a tricky start to the campaign after playing both Liverpool (1-2) and Manchester City (3-3) in August.
Howe will point to an impressive home record which laid the foundations for their drastic domestic improvement last season, after losing just once at St Jamesâ Park since the turn of the year (W8, D2). Itâs these kinds of home fixtures against their opponents on Saturday, an exciting if inconsistent Crystal Palace side, that will tell whether the Magpies currently have the capacity to make that jump from mid-table to the riches (not that they need any) of a first European appearance since 2013.
Patrick Vieiraâs youthful-looking Palace side have likewise had to contend with a difficult fixture list to commence their tenth successive PL season after facing Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in their first five games. Whilst performance levels have been promising, Vieira will be attentive to a somewhat concerning away record that is beginning to emerge stretching back to last season, with the Eagles picking up just one win in seven on the road (D2, L4) and failing to keep an away clean sheet since early March.
If Palace are to transcend a run of six successive seasons finishing between 12th and 14th, then developing more defensive solidity away from Selhurst Park should be prioritised. Indeed, two of their last three victories against Sundayâs opposition have been gritty 1-0 scorelines, so the Eagles may emphasise shutting out Newcastleâs new-look attack if they are to claim a third victory at St Jamesâ Park in their last five visits (W2, L2).
Players to watch: New Toon signing Alexander Isak scored 33 league goals for Real Sociedad since his debut in 2019 â only four players aged 22 or younger in Europe's top-five leagues managed more. Meanwhile, Wilfried Zaha has scored Palaceâs opening goal in each of his last three PL games.
Hot stat: There have been two or less goals in ten of the previous 11 H2Hs.