Crystal Palace currently has five points more than the penultimate Newcastle, which belongs to group of four teams that still haven’t tasted the sweetness of victory this season. The Magpies had more success in duels with the Palace last year, as they won at home 1-0 and drew in London 1-1.
Of course, it is going to be an additional motive for Crystal Palace players to finally win Newcastle on Saturday, especially as the atmosphere in the changing room has significantly improved after they won last weekend Huddersfield away by 1-0. Before that, team led by manager Hodgson had three-game losing streak, which followed away victory in the first match of the season against city rival Fulham 2-0.
In the meantime the Palace won away second-division Swansea in the League Cup. It is visible that they play much better outside their stadium this season than at it, and it is going to be interesting to see which tactic Hodgson will use for this home match with Newcastle. Let’s add that out of action for this match are only from before injured defenders Danni and Souare, and forwards Benteke and Wickham.
Probable lineups Crystal Palace: Hennessey – Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt – Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur–Townsend, J. Ayew, Zaha
We have said in the introduction that after five rounds the guests from Newcastle occupy the penultimate place in the Premier League table, where they and the last placed Burnley have by one point. The Magpies won it in the second round when they pulled goalless draw with Cardiff, while they lost four remaining league matches by the same result 2-1. In the League Cup Newcastle lost to second-division Nottingham Forrest by 3-1.
All that worries very much experienced coach Benitez, and it is quite realistic to expect that now against the Palace he set a bit more defensive tactic than usually, especially as midfielders Shelvey and Kenedy have fully recovered in the meantime who should replaced Ki Sung-Jong and Murhphy. On the other hand, Lascelles has joined to injured list where is already stopper Lejuene, where experienced Clark should cover his position.
Probable lineups Newcastle: Dubravka – Yedlin, Clark, Fernandez, Dummet – Ritchie, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy – Perez – Rondon
Newcastle won its only point this season when it played a goalless drew with Cardiff and we expect from them to play against always offensive Crystal Palace far more defensively than in some previous matches.
Pick: under 2.5 goals
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