Newcastle United will likely have Lewis Hall available for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe’s side begin 2026 with a clash at home to Crystal Palace as Newcastle United look to build on a historic 2025.
Last time out, Newcastle United beat Burnley 3-1 to claim only their second away win of the Premier League season to date.
While they are generally much stronger at home, this team do not totally convince.
If Tino Livramento is fit for the Crystal Palace game, who are you playing at RB? 🤔
Dropping Lewis Miley would seem very harsh!
Newcastle look fragile at times and appear to be struggling with the relentless fixture schedule.
It’s another huge game for Howe, who needs to start stringing some results together to stand any hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Newcastle United team news, injury updates and our predicted lineup for the Palace game.
Lewis Hall injury update ahead of Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
Hall is one of Newcastle’s most important players, so watching him pick up what looked like an ankle injury at Burnley was a major concern.
There simply isn’t a viable alternative to him in the Newcastle United squad right now, with Tino Livramento only just coming back from an injury himself.
Thankfully, Newcastle have confirmed that Hall should be fit to face Crystal Palace.
“He [Hall] should be OK,” said Howe at his pre-match press conference.
“We’ll have a closer look at him today [Friday].
“He’s an important player for us. He’s technically excellent. An attacking, front foot defender and he’s only going to get better the more games he plays.
“Fitness wise he’s getting his very best form back. He’s a real talent and we need to try and keep him on the pitch.”
The XI we think Eddie Howe will name against Crystal Palace – what changes would you make? ⚫⚪
Nick Woltemade starts ahead of Yoane Wissa
Yoane Wissa led the line against Burnley and scored on his first Premier League start for the club.
However, it would be a surprise to see him start two games in a week given just how long he was ruled out of action for following a knee injury sustained in September.
As such, Nick Woltemade looks primed and ready to start up front. Howe has to be careful with managing Wissa’s minutes and that seems like the wisest decision.
Jacob Murphy replaces Harvey Barnes
Jacob Murphy came off the bench against Burnley, so seems fit enough to start here.
With Anthony Gordon providing an assist for Joelinton at Turf Moor, Harvey Barnes would seem the most likely to drop out of the front three in that event.
Livramento and Kieran Trippier will likely return to the squad for the game after recent injuries. Sven Botman is also in contention after returning to training.
Anthony Elanga could make the squad after missing the last two games with an unspecified injury.
William Osula, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles are all injured.
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Doubts: Botman, Elanga
Injured: Burn (lung), Krafth (knee), Osula (ankle), Lascelles (muscle)
- Premier League
NewcastleNewcastle
Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Sunday, 4 January, 2026
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HDR, Sky Go
Referee: John Brooks, Matthew Donohue (VAR)
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