Newcastle United's Premier League preview comes to you a little earlier than usual this week due to the Magpies being afforded a free weekend.
Eddie Howe's team were due to play Manchester United at Old Trafford but the Red Devils are off to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals to face Coventry City. Instead, Howe has a few extra days to prepare to face Oliver Glasner's Eagles.
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Lee Ryder's prediction
Palace have not been afforded a free weekend like United and so take on West Ham at Selhurst Park on Sunday at 3pm. It means that it will be two games in the space of three days and less preparation time for the shrewd former Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Austrian guided Frankfurt to the Europa League in 2022 as Glasgow Rangers were defeated on penalties in Seville. But now he has the new challenge of taking Palace up the Premier League and showed his managerial mettle at the weekend as his side beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.
Howe knows that Palace can't be taken lightly and Newcastle have struggled for a win here in the past two visits drawing twice. Throw in the fact that Palace aren't quite safe in the relegation battle, this makes for a tough encounter.
Newcastle will need to show the same battling qualities they managed at Fulham in the second half at Craven Cottage in their last away game and find the same clinical side they showed against Tottenham in the 4-0 win. Despite the tough nature of this clash, I am tipping Newcastle to win it 3-1.
Referee
Tom Bramall (Sheffield)
The man who took charge of Newcastle's enthralling 4-4 draw with Luton.
Betting
Newcastle are 13/10 to get the three points at Palace with the home side 15/8 for the win. The draw is 13/5.
