BBC Sport pundit delivers ‘Chaotic’ Newcastle United verdict

Interesting comments from this BBC Sport pundit on Newcastle United.

Chris Sutton speaking as United prepare to play their tenth match of the 2026/27 season.

Newcastle United up against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

A 2pm kick-off on Sunday.

Matthias Jaissle hoping to see his team bounce back from two defeats in a row.

The BBC Sport pundit declaring ahead of Sunday: “There has been a lot of change at the Magpies…but the thing that worries me most about Matthias Jaissle’s side is that they are so open. ‘Chaotic’ was the word I used to describe them against Aston Villa last week. Villa are always very well structured in the way they play but they got chances against Newcastle just by persevering with their build-up play. If Newcastle don’t get their press quite right again here, then Palace will cause them problems too – I definitely don’t see this game as being one where defences are on top.”

I largely agree with Chris Sutton on that analysis.

Hopefully Matthias Jaissle will have a fair few more options on Sunday as players recover from injury and get back to full fitness. Yes, Joelinton came back into the starting eleven against Aston Villa, but reality was that clearly he wasn’t fit enough to do himself justice in his first competitive start in five months.

Chris Sutton adding: “Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage’s future appears to be in some doubt but his critics seem to have forgotten that they are 14th in the table, when the Eagles finished 15th last season under Oliver Glasner. Yes, Palace had a heavy defeat at Brighton last week and it doesn’t help it was at the hands of their big rivals, but it is not like Sage has got one point from his first seven games. They are leaking a few goals, but there are reasons for that. There has been huge change at Selhurst Park in recent months, with some key players leaving, especially at the back. Others have stayed but are still unhappy, and Sage has had a lot to contend with. Palace play in Turkey on Thursday night which won’t help their preparation for this game, but I still feel like they will get something against Newcastle.”

Chris Sutton has predicted a 2-2 draw and this match for me is one that could end up with any of the three possible outcomes.

A lot of hysteria about and as the BBC Sport pundit points out, Pierre Sage getting some over the top stick. Palace were hammered by Brighton but the Seagulls are flying in the Premier League, whilst Sage’s side won their previous league match 3-1 at home to Forest and before that a very good goalless draw at Leeds.

Last night in Turkey, Palace went behind but came back to lead 2-1, only for Besiktas to get a late equaliser.

Every match at the moment feels like a huge one for Matthias Jaissle and Newcastle United, in terms of trying to settle things down and drain away some of the negativity hanging in the air. Sunday feels no different and a positive performance and result would do United the power of good in terms of confidence and regaining some momentum.

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