Newcastle United begin life without Steve Bruce in charge with a trip to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Victory could lift Palace as high as 12th depending on the result of Arsenal’s clash against Aston Villa, whereas Newcastle can climb out of the relegation zone with a win if Leeds lose elsewhere.
Team News
Wilfried Zaha could return for Crystal Palace after missing their 2-2 draw at Arsenal last weekend through illness.
Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson (both Achilles) remain absent.
Newcastle will be without Jonjo Shelvey after his red card in last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham.
Freddie Woodman (muscle) is a doubt but Martin Dubravka (foot) and Paul Dummett (calf) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace have lost just two of their last seven league meetings against Newcastle (W3, D2, L2).
- Newcastle have won just one of their last six visits to Selhurst Park (W1, D3, L2).
- Palace are yet to have a player red-carded in 20 Premier League clashes against Newcastle.
- Two of Odsonne Edouard’s three goals for Palace this season have been scored on his left foot.
- Joelinton has won 33 aerial battles in eight appearances for Newcastle this season.
Prediction
Palace are definitely continuing to gel nicely as a team as evidenced by their improved attacking work rate at Arsenal to come from behind to lead 2-1, yet a late defensive mistake cost them with their defence looking still like their biggest weakness with two clean sheets all season so far.
Newcastle meanwhile still have work to do even without Steve Bruce in charge because their defence continues to be a mess, although their attack did seem to feed off a jubilant St James’ Park atmosphere for much of last weekend’s loss against Spurs with positive attacking movement.
Goals therefore feel a certainty here given the defensive fragilities within both teams but Palace look much sharper overall with an excellent work rate, which should prove the difference especially given that the Magpies will still be adjusting to life without Bruce in charge.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle United
Result: Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United