Chris Sutton has piled the pressure on Newcastle United ahead of facing Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Newcastle United beat Burnley 3-1 to end 2025 with three points, but it certainly was not a convincing display. Improvement is essential, as Eddie Howe’s side prepare to start 2026 with a tricky home tie.
The Magpies face Crystal Palace at St James’ Park, as they kick off a run of four consecutive home games across three different competitions.
They need to build on their win against Burnley and put a consistent run of results together, and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton is expecting Newcastle United to do exactly that.
The XI we think Eddie Howe will name against Crystal Palace – what changes would you make? ⚫⚪
DISCLAIMER: I’m not saying he SHOULD name this XI….
Newcastle United tipped to win against Crystal Palace
Sutton has given his verdict on what the score will be for Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace in his latest BBC Sport predictions.
The ex-Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers forward has backed the Magpies to win comfortably, highlighting Crystal Palace’s ‘dismal’ run of form.
“Crystal Palace are another team I’ve been wrong about a lot recently – they are on a dismal run, with only one point from their past four games,” he said.
“I should have thought about it more when I was making my predictions because they are badly missing the firepower of Ismaila Sarr, who is away at AFCON with Senegal.
“Brennan Johnson will add some fresh legs to the Eagles’ attack, but I actually think Newcastle will run away with this one.
“I always fancy Newcastle at home to score and also to run over teams, but this season they have sometimes struggled to put games to bed.
“I am backing them to do all of the above this time, however. Eddie Howe’s side smashed Palace 5-0 last season, and this should be another convincing win.”
Sutton’s prediction: Newcastle United 3 Crystal Palace 0.
What happened last time Newcastle United played Crystal Palace?
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace last met in April 2025 at St James’ Park.
On that night, Eddie Howe’s side blew the Eagles away with a resounding 5-0 win. They were able to score four times in the first half, with Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes and Fabian Schar finding the net alongside a Marc Guehi own goal.
The last time Crystal Palace came to SJP…
The fifth goal of the game came in the second half, as Alexander Isak scored what proved to be his penultimate goal at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United were ruthless that night, and they will hope to be the same on Sunday. They have rarely blown teams away this season, with the 4-1 triumph over Everton the only resounding victory they have recorded in the Premier League.
Goals have been hard to come by, but that should begin to change now that Yoane Wissa is finding his feet. Despite that, it is Nick Woltemade who leads the line in Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United are boosted by Lewis Hall being passed fit after his injury scare against Burnley.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
