Newcastle sent Crystal Palace warning by Sutton after Guimaraes injury

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Chris Sutton believes Newcastle United may struggle to beat Crystal Palace after they lost Bruno Guimaraes to an injury. Eddie Howe takes the Toon to Selhurst Park this Saturday.

The Magpies are looking to extend a 14-game Premier League unbeaten streak when they face the Eagles. Newcastle have not lost a top-flight match since a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on August 31. They have since claimed nine wins and sit fourth in the table on 38 points.

Newcastle have had Guimaraes to call on in all but their first match since Howe’s side lost at Anfield. The Brazilian sat out three fixtures with a thigh issue during which the Magpies did not win. The Toon drew at Wolves and with Crystal Palace around losing to Liverpool.

Now, Howe will hope Newcastle can win at Crystal Palace without Guimaraes following his ankle injury. The midfielder left the pitch in tears against Fulham after rolling his ankle in last Sunday’s 1-0 meeting. But he has avoided any ligament damage as was initially feared.

Guimaraes is now facing a matter of weeks, rather than months, on the sidelines in what is still a big blow for Howe. The Toon coach has started the 25-year-old in 16 of the Magpies’ 19 Premier League games this season. He has also registered three goals and three assists.

Chris Sutton fears for Newcastle vs Crystal Palace after Bruno Guimaraes’ injury

Allan Saint-Maximin replaced Guimaraes against Fulham following the Brazilian’s injury as Joelinton moved into midfield. Howe could now favour an engine room of Joelinton beside Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. Saint-Maximin last started a league game back in August.

But no matter who Howe replaces Guimaraes with, Sutton fears how his injury will impact Newcastle at Crystal Palace. The Eagles held Manchester United to a draw on Wednesday. But Patrick Vieira’s squad have only won once during their last six Premier League fixtures.

“This is another tough test for them,” Sutton wrote in his column for BBC Sport. “As I keep saying, Palace are impossible to predict. But they are generally a bit better when they take on the teams at the top of the table.

“Newcastle will be without injured midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who has been such a star for them, and they might have to settle for a point this time.”