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4 min Palace play it nicely out from the back before Fabian Schär decides to try a first-time hit from around the halfway line, perhaps in the belief that Henderson, in the Palace net, was dozing. He wasn’t.
2 min … Palace avoid any set-piece drama before Newcastle knock it about in defence.
1 min Jacob Murphy takes advantage of slip in the Palace defence to whip in a delicious cross – Alexander Isak can’t get a head on it but the hosts have a corner …
Newcastle kick us off, both sides in their home kits. Let’s play!
Crystal Palace have been strong on the road this season, six wins and four losses in their 15 away league games. The two teams are out and doing their handshakes.
I’m looking forward to the battle of the centre-forwards. Jean Philipe-Mateta had a quiet first half of the season after returning from Olympic duty with France but has nine league goals since the start of 2025. Alexander Isak has gone a whole two games without a goal, which simply means he’s due: the Swede has 20 goals in the league this campaign. He won’t pass Mo Salah on 27, but Erling Haaland, on 21, is there for the taking.
Alan Pardew is on punditry duty for Sky, having managed both teams. Let’s hit the dance floor:
Just in case you don’t want to keep me company.
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schär, Burn, Livramento; Guimarães, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Subs: Dubravka, Wilson, Gordon, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.
Subs: Turner, Nketiah, Franca, Clyne, Kamada, Wharton, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny.
Newcastle are unchanged; no need to tamper with a winning formula. Crystal Palace welcome back Marc Guéhi and Will Hughes from suspensions.
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to the big one (forget that Bernabéu nonsense – it’s over).
Crystal Palace may have conceded five in Manchester on the weekend, but these are promising times for them and Newcastle. Oliver Glasner’s side still have European hopes, having won four of their last six league games, and have an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa to look forward to. “I think we are in one of the best situations in Crystal Palace’s history now,” said Glasner, “being mid-April and not having to look at what happens behind you and being a little bit worried about getting relegated.”
Newcastle are still enjoying that sweet glow of Carabao success, three wins following that night at Wembley, Manchester United swept aside with ease. They look primed for Champions League football, moving above Nottingham Forest with victory tonight. The dampener has been the health of Eddie Howe, who is recovering from pneumonia. Jason Tindall will take charge again this evening on the touchline and may be in place for the rest of the season.
Kick-off’s at 7.30pm BST. Drop me a line with all your thoughts, queries, concerns, hopes, dreams, whatever suits.
