Paul Merson speaking about Newcastle United.
NUFC with exactly six weeks of the season now remaining.
Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United players now returning after the international break.
A very intense season with Newcastle having played almost every midweek, due to Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, as well as Premier League.
Now of course, only the Premier League to fully concentrate on, with seven matches remaining on seven separate weekends.
Eddie Howe and his team preparing for their next match.
A 2pm kick-off on Sunday, away to Crystal Palace.
Paul Merson discussing how things now stand for Newcastle United as they prepare for this Selhurst Park clash.
A lot of variables ahead of this match, not least the fact that the home side heard the final whistle on their last match only around 64 hours ahead of this game against United.
A 3-0 home win against Fiorentina in the first leg of Palace’s Conference League quarter-final.
Paul Merson declaring: “Crystal Palace…in the Europa Conference League. So you never know what line-up they will play against Newcastle. In all honesty, Palace’s season comes down to the Europa Conference League…That trophy is the only thing they care about…I’m backing Newcastle to win here. Like I said before, I doubt Palace will play their strongest team since they have their eyes on the Europa Conference League.”
It is ironic that after Newcastle United faced matches pretty much every midweek since September (apart from international breaks), they now are free from those extra demands but their next three away games are against clubs involved in the later stages of the three European competitions.
Crystal Palace distracted by the Conference League Arsenal with the Champions League, plus Forest the Europa League.
Such a tight table and on Sunday morning we find Newcastle United in 13th but only six points behind Chelsea, whilst Liverpool four points above Chelsea after beating Fulham but having played a game more.
Premier League table on the morning of Sunday 12 April 2026
Paul Merson stating to Sportskeeda: “Newcastle had a really poor result against Sunderland last time out. If they had won that game, they would be on 45 points now… I’m not saying it was poor simply because it was the derby, but just for what a lift in the table that win could have given them.”
Having defeated Man U despite United playing with only 10 men for most of that game, then winning away at Chelsea, that Mackem result was such a blow for many reasons, especially having led and looked in control.
A case now of putting that behind us and going on a run of performances and results that the Man U and Chelsea games suggested is possible. That has to start today.
Paul Merson predicts Crystal Palace to rest plenty of players today and lose 2-0, here’s hoping he is proved correct.