Newcastle vs Crystal Palace: 4/5, 4/1 and 8/1 betting tips for Wednesday
Newcastle host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday evening looking to further cement their position in the division’s top four and secure a Champions League return next term.
Matt Hill (@Matt_Hill93) has taken a closer look at tonight’s clash and carved out 4/5, 4/1 and 8/1 selections.
On last week’s Punters Panel, I made a case for backing Newcastle to land a top-four finish, citing my hunch that the 13/10 poke would be odds-on by Monday morning if things went as planned.
Thankfully, that came to fruition and the Magpies enter this evening’s meeting with Crystal Palace no bigger than 8/13 to get the job done and secure a stress-free return to Europe’s premier club competition in 2025/26.
Of course, there is still a job to be done against Palace this evening or that price will drift back out – yet at just 6/10 for victory, the market isn’t forecasting too much trouble in that regard.
I do feel the Newcastle win is a tad skinny given the threat that the visitors pose, particularly in transition. After all, they did go 2-0 up at Manchester City last weekend before the hosts roared back to win 5-2 and before that, Oliver Glasner’s men had won seven of eight in all competitions.
However, one thing I’m happy to set my watch to is Harvey Barnes being in the thick of things once again.
The ex-Leicester winger has been in fine form since returning to the Toon’s starting lineup last month, with three goals and two assists in his last four starts.
Barnes is a player you’d love in your side as a fan. He’s so direct, tricky and always in the thick of the action – as displayed by some phenomenal shot numbers in recent times.
In those four aforementioned games, the 27-year-old has fired off 16 shots, averaging out at exactly four per game.
So, to be getting 4/5 about him taking three or more here, in a game where his side should have the bulk of the play and have a real need to win, seems a rock solid wager.
Four or more shots also appealed at 19/10 but I’m keen not to be greedy with the main selection.
I’m a huge fan of Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who I genuinely think could become a mainstay in England’s midfield in years to come.
Operating in a deep midfield role with poise and precision, he ranks in the 94th percentile of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues this term for progressive passes (7.4 per 90 minutes), which is some going when you consider the team he’s playing in and the calibre of players he’s competing against.
It seems I'm not alone in that opinion, with Pep Guardiola heaping praise on him ahead of last weekend's meeting with Manchester City.
Wharton is also a magnificent tackler, ranking in the 92nd percentile of that same talent pool. And yet he’s had a bit of a problem with fouls since returning from a spell on the sidelines for groin surgery.
In his six starts this year, the 21-year-old has been pulled up by the referee on eight occasions – compared with just five fouls committed in 10 starts pre-injury.
Furthermore, those incidents have earned him three bookings in that six-game spell, while he was perhaps fortunate to escape a fourth against City last time out.
It’s perfectly understandable that he’s needing a bit of time to get fully up to speed after a long time out but I think the 4/1 on offer for a Wharton yellow card tonight suggests the market is slow to click onto this trend.
It helps us further that he’s got a busy shift ahead of him trying to contain an all-action Newcastle midfield in front of a raucous St James’ Park.
Combative midfielders Manuel Ugarte, Wilfriend Ndidi and Carlos Baleba have all picked up bookings against the Toon in recent weeks and Wharton could easily be added to that list on Wednesday.
Given I’m quite bullish on both selections, it’s worth chucking half a point on the double, which can be created using bookmakers’ respective Bet Builder tools.
There’s quite a lot of variety in the quotes, so be sure to shop around. Ladbrokes go as low as 11/2 on the two occurring, while there’s 8/1 currently available with BetMGM and Unibet.
2pts - Harvey Barnes over 2.5 shots - 4/5 (Ladbrokes)
1pt - Adam Wharton to be carded - 4/1 (general)
0.5pt - Harvey Barnes over 2.5 shots/ Wharton carded double - 8/1 (BetMGM/ Unibet)
Total staked - 3.5pts
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt's p/l
7 Days
30 Days
Year 2025
Harvey Barnes at the double! 🏹
Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of Adam Wharton 😍 #mancity | #premierleague
