Newcastle United visit Crystal Palace in a must-win Premier League showdown at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The Magpies have fallen off the wagon over the past few months, but they still have faint hopes of securing European qualification in the remaining seven games.
Newcastle have had a fortnight to stew on another gut-wrenching defeat against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby.
As if crashing out of the Champions League last 16 after a crushing 7-2 defeat against Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou wasn’t enough, they were subjected to further pain on their return to Premier League duties.
Newcastle fans were put through the wringer once again as they watched the Magpies suffer a 2-1 defeat against their fiercest rivals on home turf.
They took the lead in the opening 10 minutes, sparking optimism that they could avenge the previous 1-0 defeat in December 2025.
However, a second-half strike from Chemsdine Talbi and a last-minute goal from Brian Brobbey condemned Newcastle to consecutive losses just days after their Champions League humiliation.
Newcastle still have a faint chance of securing European qualification as they sit five points behind seventh-placed Brentford despite languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Their recent away form will give them the confidence that they can close that gap later today.
Newcastle won just three of their first 17 away games of the season, but they’ve claimed victory in four of their last six (L2).
Unfortunately, they have recorded only one win from their last 10 trips to Selhurst Park (D6, L3).
How Newcastle could line up
Manager Eddie Howe isn’t one for tinkering with his established line-up, but there could be at least three changes from the side that lost to Sunderland.
Aaron Ramsdale should keep his place in goal while Malick Thiaw comes in for the injured Sven Botman. He will join Dan Burn, Valentino Livramento and Lewis Hall in defence.
Sandro Tonali should also return after shaking off a groin injury. The in-demand 25-year-old midfielder, who has bagged three goals and seven assists, will likely partner with Joelinton in midfield.
Nick Woltemade should also continue in an unfamiliar number 10 role while Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga line up on either side of Anthony Gordon.
Predicted Newcastle starting XI
(4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon.
