Paul Merson and Chris Sutton disagree on Newcastle…

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton disagree on Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace result prediction

Crystal Palace are back in Premier League action this weekend as they head north to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Magpies have picked up just one win from their first five Premier League matches so far, but three draws has boosted them up to 12^th in the table. Eddie Howe’s side head into Saturday’s clash with Palace on the back of an agonising defeat at Liverpool.

Aleksander Isak had a debut to remember after the summer signing from Real Sociedad scored the opening goal at Anfield. But Liverpool hit back with a second-half equaliser from Roberto Firmino before Fabio Carvalho fired in a 96^th minute winner.

Paul Merson believes the Magpies were hard done by at Liverpool and was impressed with Isak’s first outing in the Premier League. But the former Arsenal man believes a clash against Crystal Palace is a tough one to call, with Merson predicting a 1-1 draw.

He told Sporskeeda : “This should be a good game. Newcastle were unlucky against Liverpool the other day. They defended really well against Liverpool in the first half, but they were never really a threat in the second half.

“I thought they were bang unlucky - I don't know where they got all that time added at the end of the game. I like Alexander Isak - the kid did really well against a top Premier League team, and he's a good player.

“If Crystal Palace play the way they did against Manchester City in the first half, they can win this game. Newcastle have done well this season as well, and I think we'll see another draw here.”

Crystal Palace managed to go two goals up at the Etihad against Manchester City last weekend, but succumbed to a 4-2 defeat as Erling Haaland scored his first Premier League hat-trick. In midweek, Patrick Vieira’s side took the lead at Selhurst Park against Brentford but dropped two points after Yoane Wissa’s late equaliser for the Bees.

At the moment, Palace are currently occupy 13^th in the Premier League table, just one place and one point below Newcastle. But Chris Sutton expects the Magpies to increase their gap on Palace with a 2-1 win on Tyneside.

The former Blackburn, Chelsea and Celtic striker told BBC Sport : “I like Palace under Patrick Vieira and I like Newcastle under Eddie Howe. Newcastle really took the game to Liverpool. I didn't realise Alexander Isak was going to play in that game and he took his chance well and got his goal.

“Newcastle are at home. They beat Nottingham Forest on the opening day and ran Manchester City really close and I think they will have a bit too much for Palace. Wilfried Zaha scored a brilliant goal against Brentford and they do have some really good players but Newcastle will edge this.”

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