Key Facts
- Crystal Palace heads into this home match with confidence following their convincing 3-0 win over Fiorentina; a victory would see them draw level with Newcastle in the standings (only three points separate 12th and 14th place).
- Newcastle’s form (just one win in five competitive matches) is increasing the pressure on Eddie Howe; absences of key players like Bruno Guimarães and Fabian Schär are weakening their control of the game and their defense.
- Daichi Kamada (two assists) and Ismaïla Sarr were instrumental in Palace’s strong performance against Fiorentina; Jean-Philippe Mateta could be rested due to the European cup schedule.
- In the last five head-to-head matches, more than 1.5 goals were scored in each, but Palace failed to score a single goal in the first half—making Sunday’s home opener particularly important.
- Palace’s last five matches have each produced fewer than 1.5 goals in the second half; two of their last four league games ended goalless, suggesting a controlled, tactically tight match.
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace heads into Sunday’s match with confidence following their convincing 3-0 victory in the first leg against Fiorentina. Newcastle comes in after a break during which the club attempted to calm the atmosphere surrounding Eddie Howe, following defeats against Sunderland and Barcelona in the Champions League that had caused unrest. The contrast between Palace’s momentum and Newcastle’s recent struggles adds extra intrigue to the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park, especially since a Palace win would close the gap on Newcastle in the standings. Newcastle won the first leg in January 2-0, but the table is tight—only three points separate 12th and 14th place—and the betting odds don’t point to a clear favorite.
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London
- Date and time: April 12, 2026, 3:00 PM
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 32)
The arguments for a low-scoring game start with Palace, whose last five matches have all produced fewer than 1.5 goals in the second half, and with Glasner, who is likely to rest Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of the trip to Italy. In addition, without Bruno Guimarães, Newcastle lacks its usual control in midfield, and there is also uncertainty at the back.
Crystal Palace Form & Record Check
Palace were really strong against Fiorentina on Thursday, and not just because of the 3-0 win, but because their performance looked controlled and cohesive. Daichi Kamada provided two assists, Ismaïla Sarr found the net again, and Glasner’s team created pressure down the wings without losing defensive stability. They are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, which says a lot about how solid this team is right now. In the league, the picture is a bit less rosy. Palace won away at Tottenham but then drew 0-0 with Leeds, and two of their last four matches ended goalless after 90 minutes. That suggests a controlled home performance rather than an open spectacle. Eddie Nketiah is out for the rest of the season, Cheick Doucouré remains unavailable, and Jørgen Strand Larsen could take on a central role should Jean-Philippe Mateta be rested.
This is more of a projected 3-4-2-1 formation than a confirmed lineup. Crystal Palace is likely to stick with the system that Oliver Glasner typically favors. Dean Henderson
1 stands probably behind Jaydee Canvot (23), Maxence Lacroix (5) and Chadi Riyadh (34), as Chris Richards is still out and Caleb Kporha is not is available. Further forward, Daniel Muñoz (2) and Tyrick Mitchell (3) provides width, while Adam Wharton (20) and Jefferson Lerma (8) in the centre, if Cheick Doucouré has not yet fit. Ismaïla Sarr (7) and Daichi Kamada (18) should be Jørgen Strand Larsen (22), especially since Eddie Nketiah will be back for the rest of the season. and Mateta is considered a candidate for a breather.
Newcastle Form & Balance Check
Newcastle’s last league game, the 2-1 home defeat against Sunderland, has noticeably increased the pressure on Eddie Howe, especially since she left so soon after the bitter Champions League defeat in Barcelona. A win from the last few five competitive games is a meagre record for a team that has yet to dreams of a European Cup place. After all, they have won in all five games so the offensive danger has not disappeared. The actual The problem lies in the control of the game. Although the Magpies won before the Break still 1-0 at Chelsea, but recently games tipped too quickly, as soon as the opponent picked up momentum. Bruno Guimarães is missing, Fabian Schär is a sensitive absence, both damage the build-up to the game and the calm in the Midfield. Anthony Gordon remains the most reliable driving force in the offensive, but this afternoon is likely to be difficult if Crystal Palace forces them on the defensive for longer periods.
Newcastle is likely to rely on the usual 4-2-3-1 again, with the is of course only a forecast and not a confirmed list. In the Aaron Ramsdale (32) is in goal, Kieran Trippier in front of him (2), Malick Thiaw (12), Dan Burn (33) and Lewis Hall (3). In the defensive Midfielder Sandro Tonali (8) and Joelinton (7) are expected to provide structure and duel strength. Further forward, Nick Woltemade (27) could be central control center, flanked by Anthony Elanga (20) and Harvey Barnes (11) on the wings, with Anthony Gordon (10) as Ten. The big reservation remains the personnel situation: Bruno Guimarães is missing after his mumps illness probably continues, Lewis Miley has just returned to team training, and Fabian Schär and Emil Krafth are also not available.
Crystal Palace – Newcastle Comparison & Stats
Newcastle has recently clearly secured the upper hand in this duel, have won three of their last five meetings and have not won the last three defeat. The first leg in January 2026 ended 2-0, in April In 2025, there was even a 5-0 win, and Palace’s best result in this period was the 2-0 home win in 2024, in November 2024 both teams drew 1-1 in the Selhurst Park. The pattern within these games is revealing. All five games brought more than 1.5 goals, Palace scored in the first at half-time, and Newcastle scored in four of them Goal after the break. Interestingly, this doesn’t indicate chaos so much Newcastle, which controls decisive phases of the game, especially after the change. That’s one reason why Palace’s start on Sunday could have more weight than usual.
