The English Premier League continues this weekend, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace and Stoke City vs. Bournemouth matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace
Three-Way: 1: Newcastle United +110; X: +256 Draw; 2: Crystal Palace +333
Spread -0.5: Newcastle United +100; Crystal Palace -104
Total +2.5: Over +114; Under -122
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The Magpies are on a negative run of three matches without a win but are currently in the respectable 9th place with 11 points, eight more than Crystal Palace. Newcastle was near to securing three points at Southampton as they had led twice, but Manolo Gabbiadini’s brace prevented them from getting a victory. Still, Rafa Benitez’s men haven’t disappointed at St Mary’s and are in a good situation here to end the winless streak.
Newcastle has played nine games in the 2017/18 season, recording three wins, two draws, and four losses, with a goal difference of 11:11, which is 2.44 goals per contest on average. The Magpies are undefeated in the previous three Premier League matches at St. James’ Park and are without a home loss against Palace last seven meetings.
The captain Jamaal Lascelles, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Spanish striker Joselu are currently the team’s top scorers with a couple of goals each, while five more individuals chipped in with a goal. The Scottish international Matt Ritchie is the most creative player at St James’ Park with four assists to his name, and he is a constant threat when it comes to crossing the ball and shooting from long range. Rafa Benitez is still without a pair of left-backs Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara, while the rest of the squad is healthy and ready to go.
CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles finally recorded their first win in the Premier League last weekend, but only a few expected that it would come against the reigning champions. Ironically, Chelsea scored Palace’s first goal of the campaign as Cesar Azpilicueta sent the ball into his own net in the 11th minute. Following Bakayko’s equalizer, the influential winger Wilfried Zaha found the back of the net in the 45th minute and made an immediate impact on Palace’s result as it turned out to be a game-winning goal. Zaha was sidelined for two months, and this was his appearance upon returning to full health.
Crystal Palace played ten games so far this season, recording three victories and seven losses, with a goal difference of 5:19, which is 2.4 goals per contest on average. The Eagles have been dreadful in the away matches, though, as they lost all four without scoring a single goal and conceding 11 in return. However, this unexpected win over Chelsea will give them a much-needed morale boost, so I expect Palace to be inspired and highly motivated at St. James’ Park.
Wilfried Zaha now joined Bakary Sako in the 2nd place on the goal-scoring chart with one goal each, which is quite sad, but true nonetheless, while James McCarthy is the team’s leading scorer with a pair of goals to his name. The (in)efficiency is Palace’s biggest problem, but I suppose they will start scoring on a regular basis soon, and two goals against the title holders is a nice way to start. Roy Hodgson is still without a striker Christian Benteke as the Belgian will be out for another month, while Connor Wickham and Wayne Hennessey are long-term absentees. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on the other hand, is close to returning to training as he’s recovering from a muscle strain.
Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace – Match Prediction
I have no doubt that the hosts will find the net on this one, but I think the Eagles are capable of scoring themselves as Newcastle defense is not particularly strong, and Zaha has the ability to torture opposing defenders.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-110)
Stoke City vs. Bournemouth
Three-Way: 1: Stoke City +125; X: +254 Draw; 2: Bournemouth +309
Spread -0.5: Stoke City +120; Bournemouth -127
Total +2.5: Over +102; Under -108
STOKE CITY
The Potters won only one in the last seven Premier League matches, and the most recent loss at Etihad will be remembered for quite some time as they suffered a massive, 2:7 defeat to Manchester City. The Citizens took an early 3:0 lead after half an hour, but Mame Diouf and Kyle Walker’s own goal cut City’s lead to one goal; however, it was clear that Stoke cannot come even close as the hosts scored additional four without reply. Stoke are currently in the 17th position with eight points, two more than Leicester City in the danger zone.
Stoke City played ten games in the 2017/18 campaign, recording three victories, two draws, and five losses, with a goal difference of 12:20, which is 3.2 goals per contest on average. The Potters are much better at home, as all of their three wins came at the bet365 Stadium, where they lost just one in seven meetings with Bournemouth.
The veteran Peter Crouch is the team’s top scorer with three goals to his name, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Joe Allen, and Mama Diouf are following Crouch with a pair of goals each. Four players recorded two assists thus far: Diouf, Allen, Pieters, and Shaqiri, and alongside Choupo-Moting and Crouch, they are the key contributors to this team. Mark Hughes will be without the captain Ryan Shawcross and midfielder Stephen Ireland, while Joe Allen should be ready to return after missing the clash at Etihad with a concussion.
BOURNEMOUTH
The Cherries are in a lousy run in the Premier League with three matches without a victory and are in the disappointing 19th place at the moment with only four points from the first eight games. Bournemouth failed to score in the previous two, and although that is somewhat acceptable at Wembley against Tottenham, where they lost 0-1 last weekend, inability to score against Leicester at home is rather underperforming. Bournemouth must improve quickly, or else they will be fighting relegation, and visiting another struggling side could be helpful, so the Cherries can hope to get a positive result at bet365.
Bournemouth played ten games so far in the 2017/18, recording three wins, a draw, and six defeats, with a goal difference of 7:13, which is precisely two goals per contest on average. The away form is a big problem for Eddie Howe as the Cherries lost all four matches and scored only one goal in the process, while their lone away victory came in the Carabao Cup against Birmingham.
The Norwegian striker Joshua King is the team’s leading scorer with two goals in nine appearances, while Jermain Defoe, Marc Pugh, Andrew Surman, Charlie Daniels, and Ryan Fraser scored a goal each. The former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe recorded a couple of assists thus far, and he is the best assist-maker at the moment, so he, Defoe, and Kings should be the players to watch on Saturday. Eddie Howe cannot count on the reserve keeper Adam Federici, while the forward Callum Wilson and defender Tyrone Mings could be back in the next few weeks as they are recovering from cruciate ligament rupture and knee injury, respectively.
Stoke City vs. Bournemouth – Match Prediction
The Potters are playing evidently better at home, while the Cherries are the worst away team in the Premier League alongside Crystal Palace, so I am backing the hosts on this one
MY PICK: Stoke City to win (+125)
