Honest question. If we do indeed manage to finish 2nd or 3rd. And with us winning the cup. Does Howe get a shoe in for manager of the season?
It'll be harder than Man U for sure, they play 3 at the back and 1 up top as well so they (should in theory) have the over load in midfield - dealt with it well on Sunday but Palace are different gravy to ManU. Would expect us to get a point at least as we always seem to draw against palace ( last 6 games -Won 1, Lost 1, Drawn 4) but think we have the momentum atm to keep driving towards CL football. Home advantage on a weekday evening and with them having half an eye on their semi final in a 10 days could be crucial, need to get into them early and make them think - don't fancy challenging there with a cup semi final on the horizon! 3-2!
Palace last 3 league games - drew away at Southampton 1-1, scraped a win against Brighton at home 2-1, battered away by Man City 5-2. Our last 3: Beat Brentford 2-1 at home, smashed Leicester 3-0 away, crushed Man Utd 4-1 at home. Our recent form is better. But yeah, Palace are a decent team who we will struggle against if we let our levels drop.
I don't think there's much between the two sides. I understand many simply look at the table, but the reason Palace aren't having a far better season is because they were missing their best players for the first half of the season. Newcastle being at home will hopefully be the difference though.
Predict what you actually think will happen. Skybet has us clear favourites, but I think it will be tough and significantly tougher than the last 2 games. I'll predict a narrow 2-1 win, which I'd be very happy with. Brentford game was a tough one for us and a very good result, would be happy with something similar.