Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce claims Newcastle are certain to beat Crystal Palace because of FA Cup success

'They would all have been on the pop. They won’t be mentally ready for it'

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce reacts on the touchline (AFP)

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has risked causing a rift with his Crystal Palace counterpart Alan Pardew after claiming it is worth putting money on Newcastle to beat the FA Cup finalists, who will have 'all been on the pop' to celebrate clinching a Wembley return.

In a barely concealed attempt to sting the Eagles into action, Allardyce has dismissed their chances against the Wearsiders' relegation rivals as Pardew prepares to return to his former club for the first time since he left in December, 2014. On the 20th anniversary of Kevin Keegan, then Newcastle manager, famously losing it with his 'I would love it if we beat them' rant in a live television interview in response to similar mind games from Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, Allardyce went further, questioned the Palace players' mental readiness and willingness to put their bodies on the line in pursuit of victory. Palace face Manchester United on May 21, following the 2-1 semi-final victory over Watford and Allardyce said: "I'd have a bet on it if I could. Newcastle will win on Saturday.

"Crystal Palace are in the FA Cup final, and they would all have been celebrating, they would all have been on the pop. They won’t be mentally ready for it and neither will Alan, because he’ll be thinking about the final now, not thinking about Newcastle away. You’re not going to stop the lads celebrating having got through to a final, particularly Crystal Palace because it’s such a good achievement for the club, the fans, Alan and the owner, there is such euphoria around the place."

Palace, who with 39 points are not yet mathematically safe from relegation, are contemplating a first FA Cup final appearance in 26 years. Allardyce added: "It may well serve in reverse. Alan could say, 'off you go lads, go and play today and relax, the result doesn’t matter as much' and they might win. But it could go the other way, 'ooh, I’ve had a good couple of days off and I don’t want to get injured for the final, I might just stay out of that tackle'. I suspect it might be the latter."

Connor Wickham celebrates scoring for Palace against Watford in the FA Cup (Getty)

Sunderland are a point above the relegation zone with four games remaining in a three-way battle with Newcastle and Norwich City to avoid the two remaining places to join Aston Villa in the Championship next season. Allardyce, whose side travel to Stoke at the weekend, added: "Newcastle pose the bigger threat to our survival. I think they’ll beat Palace and they’ve got Villa. It depends on what Spurs do there in their last game so I think they’ll win two at least."