Paul Merson verdict on Newcastle United position – The situation has changed dramatically

7 months ago 46

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Paul Merson has been discussing Newcastle United and the current situation at St James’ Park.

The former Arsenal player speaking, with now approaching the thirty third NUFC Premier League match of the season.

Eddie Howe and his players having played forty five matches in total already, in all competitions.

Paul Merson discussing the possibilities ahead of Newcastle United playing away at Crystal Palace.

Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Crystal Palace v Newcastle:

“Who saw that Crystal Palace performance coming the other day?

“They have three matchwinners in attack with Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Jean -Philippe Mateta and in my opinion, that’s the best front three in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

“Newcastle United would have looked at this one as a winnable game a couple of games ago, but the situation has changed dramatically.

“I’m going for the two sides to share the spoils in an entertaining contest.

“Prediction: Crystal Palace 2 Newcastle 2”

So is Paul Merson on the money here?

I am amazed at how much is being made of Palace’s 5-2 win over West Ham.

For me, the Hammers looked like they just caved in after the home side scored early. West Ham had looked knackered at the end of their Thursday night Europa League exit to Bayer Leverkusen and totally not up for it on Sunday when they carried a major European hangover.

The likes of Olise and Eze can be dangerous on their day but this season there hasn’t been many going days for Palace.

Before that victory over Palace, the only other home wins in the league had been against Burnley, Sheffield United and Brentford, plus a narrow 3-2 over Wolves back in September.

Of the clubs outside the relegation zone, only Brentford have conceded more goals at home than Palace’s 26.

On the other hand, outside the top five in the table, only West Ham have scored more goals away from home than Newcastle’s 26.

Newcastle have won six of their last nine away games in all competitions, the only defeats on the road in that time at Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea.

I think there will be goals in this game, as Paul Merson predicts, however, I am confident that Newcastle will score the majority of them.

Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:

Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)

Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)

Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)