Crystal Palace v Newcastle preview: Sage and Jaissle meet as two struggling sides look for a lift
Palace are 14th and have conceded first in four straight games; Newcastle are 11th but third-bottom of the form table after a 4-1 defeat at Coventry. Axel Disasi is back for Palace, while Anthony Elanga is a doubt for Newcastle.
Two of the Premier League's new head coaches meet at Selhurst Park on Sunday 25 October (14:00 UK / 22:00 Beijing). Both Pierre Sage and Matthias Jaissle need a win.
The form
| Crystal Palace | Newcastle | |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 14th | 11th |
| Last six league games | L W L D W L | W D L W L L |
| Coach | Pierre Sage | Matthias Jaissle |
Palace have found life hard since Sage replaced Oliver Glasner, who now coaches Nottingham Forest. They have lost four of seven league games, conceded first in each of their last four matches in all competitions, and were beaten 5-0 at Brighton recently. On Thursday they drew 2-2 at Beşiktaş in the Europa League.
Newcastle started well under Jaissle, the former Al-Ahli coach, going unbeaten in his first five competitive games. Since then they have slipped to third-bottom of the form table, with draws against Liverpool and Bournemouth (both 2-2) and a 4-1 defeat at promoted Coventry City.
Key stats
- Palace have had seven different goalscorers, but only Tyrick Mitchell has more than one goal.
- Newcastle have scored four goals in their last four games. Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock have two each, and Harvey Barnes leads the team for assists and big chances created.
- Palace won this fixture 2-1 in April. They have never won consecutive Premier League games against Newcastle.
Team news
Crystal Palace
- Back: Axel Disasi, after a three-match ban for his red card in the 3-2 defeat by Ipswich.
- Doubt: Dean Henderson (foot).
- Out: Quinten Timber (thigh), Jørgen Strand Larsen (knock, picked up in Istanbul), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Chadi Riad (knee).
Newcastle
- Doubts: Anthony Elanga (thigh) — Jaissle said he is training but not ready for 90 minutes — and Matías Fernández-Pardo (illness).
- Out: Jacob Ramsey (thigh), Tino Livramento (knee), Ewen Jaouen (thigh).
Possible line-ups
Palace: Benítez; Richards, Disasi, Canvot; Khalaili, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; McNeil, Pino; Mateta
Newcastle: Hornicek; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; González, Joelinton; Murphy, Osula, Barnes; Wissa
What to watch
Palace's habit of falling behind against a Newcastle side that has struggled to keep games under control. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in Istanbul and remains Palace's focal point, while Barnes is Newcastle's most creative player. With Strand Larsen out, Palace have few attacking options from the bench.
See all the weekend's team news in our matchweek 8 press conference roundup and the Premier League table.
FAQ
What time is Crystal Palace v Newcastle? Sunday 25 October 2026, 14:00 UK time (22:00 Beijing time), at Selhurst Park.
Who is Newcastle's manager? Matthias Jaissle, formerly of Al-Ahli, who took charge in the summer of 2026.
Is Elanga fit for Newcastle? He is a doubt. Jaissle said he is training but not ready to play 90 minutes.
