Predicted Newcastle team v Crystal Palace ahead of St James’ Park clash today

Looking at this Newcastle team v Crystal Palace.

Our next match in the Premier League.

Newcastle United looking to build on the away win at Burnley and rise up the Premier League table.

Eddie Howe and his team go into this afternoon’s match only four points off the top five.

With another home game to quickly follow on Wednesday against Leeds, then rock bottom Wolves away, the potential to get real momentum in 2026.

As a reminder, this was the Newcastle team v Burnley:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Barnes, Gordon, Wissa

The Eddie Howe pre-match press conference on Friday for this Crystal Palace match, saw him giving a positive update on availability and potential returning players.

The Head coach saying he thinks Lewis Hall is fine after worries regarding his ankle during the Burnley match.

Eddie Howe going on to says that Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento could all potentially return to the matchday squad for this Crystal Palace match.

Will Osula, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and Anthony Elanga are all still unavailable though.

With Nick Pope, Joelinton and Yoane Wissa having been back in the starting eleven on Tuesday night, that latest Friday morning update gabve further hope that Eddie Howe is on his way to having far more options available. So important with such a busy schedule of upcoming big matches.

This is my predicted Newcastle team v Crystal Palace:

Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno, Murphy, Gordon, Woltemade

If the above ends up as the reality, it would mean two changes for Eddie Howe.

Woltemade and Murphy replacing Wissa and Barnes.

With five days between Burnley and this Palace match, I think it gives Eddie Howe the big bonus of not needing to leave anybody out due to fatigue, lack of recovery time. Unlike Oliver Glasner potentially…his Crystal Palace team having played (the same eleven as three days earlier when losing at home to Spurs) only on Thursday night when fortunate to get a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.

I think alternating between Wissa and Woltemade starting, will now be regular occurrence, whilst Barnes wasn’t great on the right at Burnley and I expect Murphy to play.

Lewis Miley has done well at right-back, so no panic or desperate need to rush anybody back in that position. Very possible Tino, or Trippier could come in, but I think far more likely we will see one or both of them appearing as subs today, then likely at least one of them starting against Leeds on Wednesday.

Similar story with Sven Botman I reckon. You can see Eddie Howe obviously loving a scenario whereby if Newcastle can get in a dominant position against Crystal Palace, then hopefully able to introduce returning players off the bench in a less pressurised situation. Before then probably up for starting eleven selection for the likes of the Leeds and Bournemouth matches that follow.

You have seen what John’s thoughts are on the most likely Newcastle team v Crystal Palace, please use the comments section below to give your thoughts on which eleven you think Eddie Howe will select. Plus of course what would be your preferred starting eleven today.