Newcastle United travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace tomorrow afternoon, and it is looking increasingly like a must-win for both sides.

Palace manager Pierre Sage is under pressure after a poor start to the season, while Newcastle are on a bad run of form, picking up only four points from their last five Premier League games.

This is a tough one to call. But what can we expect from these two teams?

Key Battles

Adam Wharton v Nico González

This will be an interesting midfield battle. Wharton likes to get forward, while Nico likes to sit deeper and act as a defensive shield while pinging passes forward to his more advanced teammates.

The problem for Nico will be the acres of space around him in Matthias Jaissle’s 4-2-3-1 system. Wharton is a great passer and will take advantage of that to get Palace on the move. Nico will need to rely on his teammates not to leave him isolated.

Jean-Phillippe Mateta v Dan Burn or Sven Botman

Burn is still working his way back to fitness, so it could be Botman lining up against the speedy Mateta. Gulp. The Frenchman looked back to his best against Beşiktaş in midweek, grabbing Palace’s second goal in a 2-2 draw.

 Whoever is playing at centre-half for the Magpies will have their hands full. Mateta is strong and good in the air, and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a Newcastle defence that is low on confidence.

The Tactical Battle

The big question for Newcastle fans will be whether Jaissle will change his formation to shore up the midfield. At the moment, Newcastle are far too open and easy to play through, and Sage will try and flood the midfield.

Newcastle have been caught out in other games by pushing forward too quickly, leaving space in behind. Palace will no doubt try to do the same, inviting Newcastle to press high before getting the ball forward quickly to exploit the gaps left in front of the defence.

Jaissle’s dilemma is: if he sticks with the 4-2-3-1, can his team counteract that?

Form Guide

Newcastle and Palace have similar records in the Premier League at the moment. Both have won two, lost three, and drawn one.

Newcastle have the edge in their recent head-to-head record. They have won three of their last six meetings with the Eagles, with Palace winning two, including the teams’ most recent meeting in April – a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park.

Predicted Newcastle XI

Horníček, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Miley, Nico, Joelinton, Barnes, Murphy, Wissa, Osula

Score Prediction

Palace 1-2 Newcastle

With Sage under pressure, Newcastle have to take advantage of any nervousness around Selhurst Park by making a good start.  I’m predicting a tight game, with Newcastle just hanging on to win.