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Predicting Newcastle’s 12/21 lineup vs. Crystal Palace

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Palace player Wwilfried Zaha looks on as Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle looks to play a pass during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on April 06, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Palace player Wwilfried Zaha looks on as Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle looks to play a pass during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on April 06, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United will look to sink a short-handed Crystal Palace side tomorrow. We predict the starting lineup.

After a disappointing loss vs. Burnley, Newcastle United will take on Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park. The Magpies struggled without Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey vs. the Clarets and Steve Bruce mentioned that both players could return without fully guaranteeing it. Factoring in the injury issues, we predict the Newcastle United starting XI for tomorrow’s match.

5-2-3

Dubravka

Manquillo/Schar/Fernandez/Dummett/Willems

Shelvey/Hayden

Almiron/Carroll/Joelinton

I would expect both Shelvey and Almiron to return. It would be wise to not rush them back during this busy schedule, but Newcastle needs to win this match. They’re playing a shorthanded team near them on the table. The squad without Shelvey’s distribution and Miggy’s pace and aggressiveness turned in a dismal performance last week.

While I think this could be a good match for Florian Lejeune to come back in, I don’t see any of the three central defenders being dropped. Javier Manquillo should definitely keep his position against Palace, especially because of how poor DeAndre Yedlin was last year vs. Wilfried Zaha. They will play in front of the biggest lock to start tomorrow, Martin Dubravka.

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In the attack, Joelinton should get another chance on the wing. He showed some flashes of danger out wide and Christian Atsu should be stuck on the bench after his dud against Burnley. Could Brucey decide to go with Dwight Gayle as the number nine? Possibly, but I expect him to allow Andy Carroll to continue to occupy the middle of the attack and he was good enough vs. Burnley to get another chance.