Crystal Palace v Newcastle United: Jean-Philippe Mateta could return to the Palace starting line-up on Sunday.

Jean Philippe-Mateta is back from injury and back among the goals for Crystal Palace ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United at Selhurst Park (2pm kick-off).

Mateta marked his first start for Palace since the opening weekend with a goal in their 2-2 Europa League draw at Besiktas on Thursday night, which marked his first strike since scoring in the Conference League final five months ago. The French international had been out with a hamstring injury before returning off the bench in last weekend’s 5-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion before starting in Turkey.

And with fitness concerns over Palace striker Jorgen Strand-Larsen, Mateta could be ready to inflict more pain on Newcastle after successive Premier League defeats for Matthias Jaissle’s side. Back in April, Mateta came off the bench to score twice in the final 10 minutes and help Crystal Palace claim a 2-1 comeback win over Newcastle.

Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on April 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on April 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mateta ready for ‘fantastic game’ v NUFC

And he is anticipating a ‘fantastic game’ with Palace also looking for a reaction after the thrashing against their rivals last time out in the league.

“I feel always good [when I score], but it's better when we win in the end,” Mateta said after the Europa League draw.

“I think today we did everything to win the game, and in the end when you let them have chances, they are a very good team, they scored today.

“But I think we deserved better, we played hard today and we showed a good face today, and it's a draw, we take that point.

“The aggression was back, the team today was so strong, and like I said, we let them have two chances and they scored.”

Sunday’s match will mark Mateta’s first at Selhurst Park this season.

“You can see even today I was always sharing with [the supporters],” Mateta told Palace TV.

“They are very important for us, and I hope they will keep travelling with us, and I'm sure they will win a lot of games with us.

“We will work on the good things we do [v Besiktas], and I know this weekend will be a fantastic game [v Newcastle].”

Pierre Sage issues Mateta fitness update

While Mateta is pushing to start against Newcastle, Palace head coach Pierre Sage revealed after Thursday’s match that the striker is ‘not really ready’ to play a full 90 minutes.

“I’m really happy for him,” Sage said. “He was in a good area, it was a good moment for him just before coming off, because he was not really ready to play [a full 90 minutes].

“You see him tired, but when you have this mindset, when you want to play every ball and you give your life on the pitch, sometimes it’s good for you.”