Newcastle United will look to continue their excellent campaign when they play host to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday evening.
However, at a time when the Magpies have moved into third spot in the Premier League table, Palace are 10th in the top flight after posting successive wins.
Match preview
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Such has been Newcastle's progress over the past year that it has reached a point where 4-1 victories over Southampton in the Premier League do not necessarily come as a surprise.
Even Eddie Howe claimed that the success at St Mary's felt 'a little flat' on the basis of their performance not being of high quality like with previous displays, yet there will not be any complacency going forward.
The Magpies have 27 points from 14 matches, a ratio which will be more than enough to earn European football next season, but Howe will also regard this competition as a potential route.
Although alterations will inevitably be made on Wednesday night, Howe has a united group of players who want to make their mark and extend their current nine-match unbeaten streak.
Newcastle had to battle their way through to this stage of the tournament, recording a 2-1 triumph away at League Two outfit Tranmere Rovers.
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As for Palace, they needed to rally during the closing quarter of their tie with Oxford United to earn their spot in round three, and Patrick Vieira will want to go as far as possible in the competition.
With the Eagles now sitting in 10th and seven points clear of the relegation zone, there is leeway for Vieira to place extra focus on this tie, one of the toughest that was available to his team.
Having suffered a last-gasp defeat to Chelsea at the start of October, Palace could have wilted over the weeks that followed, but they have instead collected 13 points from a possible 18.
Three of their four victories have come after conceding the first goal, the latest of those occurrences being at West Ham United at the weekend.
Palace also make the long trip to St James' Park having already held Newcastle to a goalless draw in the corresponding Premier League fixture on September 3.
Team News
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As a result of illness and niggles picked up at Southampton, the Newcastle quartet of Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson are unlikely to start this fixture.
Nick Pope, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes also stand to be given a rest, but Jonjo Shelvey and Allan Saint-Maximin are both in need of game time.
Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, Jamaal Lascalles, Matt Targett, Elliott Anderson, Ryan Fraser and Chris Wood should all start for the Magpies.
Having made just one substitution against West Ham, Vieira is also expected to make widespread alterations for this contest.
Sam Johnstone, James Tomkins, Luka Milivojevic and Jean-Philippe Mateta are among the players who should be handed chances in the Palace XI.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Manquillo, Lascalles, Burn, Targett; Longstaff, Shelvey; Fraser, Anderson, Saint-Maximin; Wood
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Ward, Tomkins, Guehi, Riedeweld; Milivojevic, Doucoure; Ebiowei, Hughes, Ayew; Mateta
We say: Newcastle United 3-1 Crystal Palace
Both managers will make changes for this game, which should give Palace more chance of achieving a surprise win. However, we can see Newcastle still coming through this contest with the win, potentially in the final stages if some of their senior crop are introduced.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
