AI predicts Newcastle United v Crystal Palace in the Premier League - and here's the results

Like it or loathe it, we live a world where AI - or artificial intelligence - is creeping into every corner of society. Long gone are the days of predictive text or autocorrect being your only daily dalliance with an industry that was formerly resigned to the big screen or fiction.

Now, it’s in everything, and can do virtually everything, too - including, it seems, predict football results. So, we asked X’s own AI, Grok, to get its crystal ball out and predict what would happen as Newcastle United take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League at St James’ Park looking to continue to push towards a return to the Champions League. And here’s what it said.

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace: form

Grok says: “Newcastle United, sitting 4th in the Premier League with 56 points, have been strong at home, averaging 1.89 goals per match and scoring in 79.17% of their home games with over 1.5 goals. Their recent form includes a commanding 4-1 win over Manchester United, showcasing their attacking prowess with players like Harvey Barnes, Bruno Guimarães, and Alexander Isak in fine form. However, injuries to Joe Willock (concussion), Sven Botman (knee surgery), Jamaal Lascelles (fitness), and Lewis Hall (ankle surgery) could strain their squad depth.

“Crystal Palace, positioned 12th with 43 points, have shown resilience on the road, winning 6 away games and averaging 1.65 goals per match. Their recent form includes a 2-1 loss to Brentford but an unbeaten run in seven away games prior to that. However, they face significant injury and suspension challenges, with Will Hughes, Maxence Lacroix (head injury), Chris Richards (calf), Cheick Doucouré (knee surgery), and Chadi Riad (cruciate ligament tear) likely sidelined. Jean-Philippe Mateta remains a key threat upfront, especially after his brace in their last meeting at Selhurst Park.”

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace: head-to-head

It says: “Head-to-head stats favour Newcastle, who have won 14 of 29 meetings with Palace, including 11 of the last 25 encounters, while Palace have won 5. The most recent match on November 30, 2024, ended in a 1-1 draw, with Palace equalizing late despite low expected goals (xG) for Newcastle (0.02). Newcastle’s home advantage and Palace’s depleted squad tilt the scales in their favor, but Palace’s counter-attacking threat could keep it competitive.

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace: prediction

Grok thinks it’s going to be six on the bounce for the Magpies, although it predicts it will be a fair bit tighter than the Manchester United victory.

“Given Newcastle’s strong home scoring record and Palace’s injury woes, I predict a Newcastle United 2-1 Crystal Palace result,” it says. “Newcastle’s attacking trio of Isak, Barnes, and Anthony Gordon should exploit Palace’s weakened defence, but Mateta could nick a goal on the break. The game is likely to see over 1.5 goals, with both teams scoring, as three of Palace’s last four games have followed this trend.”