Sky Sports expert’s verdict – Interesting on Newcastle United in advance of Crystal Palace match | OneFootball

The Sky Sports column ‘Jones Knows’ has given some interesting analysis and commentary on what is currently the position at Newcastle United.

The column makes predictions on what will happen at certain Premier League matches and also debates other matters / issues at clubs as well.

However, unlike the usual ex-pro predictions, that are usually simply based on how ‘big’ a club is and whether or not they won the previous game, this one has proper analysis and insight, not lazy assumptions.

The Sky Sports ‘Jones Knows’ column looks at the matches from a betting perspective and has been concentrating on this Newcastle United game at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.

Lewis Jones (who is the Sky Sports expert behind the ‘Jones Knows’ column) has highlighted some major underlying factors that could / should have a big bearing on this Crystal Palace v Newcastle game.

“Newcastle’s games this season have been responsible for the most goals scored and conceded combined (121) and they head to Crystal Palace having scored in their last 14 Premier League games.

“They’re in for a proper game too based on Palace’s absolute dismantling of West Ham where the Eagles played arguably some of the best football I’ve ever seen a Crystal Palace team play.

“The front three of Eberechi Eze, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Michael Olise, playing much more centrally under Oliver Glasner, could have something exciting developing.

“With their tails up, this looks a game where goals are likely to flow at both ends.

“Since February 23 only Cole Palmer has scored more Premier League goals than Mateta (6) and Alexander Isak (7) meaning we have two in-form frontmen capable of finishing chances that drop their way.

It was therefore quite surprising to see as big as 4/5 with Sky Bet on the prospect of both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals. The 9/2 on both Isak and Mateta scoring in the match could also be a winner in waiting.

“Score prediction: Crystal Palace 3 Newcastle 2”

A lot of good stuff in there, as usual, when it comes to what the Sky Sports expert says.

Decent stats as is the norm, however, as we all do, Lewis Jones picks and chooses exactly which particular stats he wants to push to the fore.

I do think all three outcomes are possible in this game BUT I do think an awful lot of weight is getting put on Sunday’s West Ham match by the Sky Sports man, as well as others who are previewing this match.

Palace undoubtedly played well on Sunday and deserved their five goals. However, what exactly were they up against? West Ham seemingly knackered and totally demoralised after their season effectively had ended on the Thursday night, with their exit from the Europa League to Bayer Leverkusen.

West Ham only had one shot on target yet Crystal Palace still managed to concede twice! One a comedy own goal.

With what I am hearing about Palace, you would think they were on a decent sized run of matches where they were scoring for fun and winning matches, but that isn’t the case.

As for predicting Newcastle United to lose…

In the 16 games in all competitions played since 1 January, Newcastle have only lost away at Arsenal and Chelsea, plus home and away (FA Cup) against Man City.

Plus, in their last six hours of football, despite all the missing defenders, Newcastle have only conceded that one goal, the penalty against Everton.

Whilst of course only Man City had better recent Premier League form than Newcastle coming into the midweek matches, NUFC with four wins and that draw against Everton, the only defeat the 3-2 at Chelsea.

I don’t claim Newcastle United will win for sure BUT on all available evidence, the form certainly points to that as the most likely outcome.

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)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)