Crystal Palace welcome Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening, hoping to get all three points this time around in the Premier League.
The Eagles ended a two-game losing run in the Premier League by holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at home in midweek. Michael Olise scored a spectacular free-kick in stoppage time to earn a point for Patrick Vieira’s side.
Vieira would have been relieved to see his boys end the losing run but will hope to see a better performance against high-flying Newcastle, who are fourth in the table and head to south London on the back of a 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend.
Joachim Andersen has been ruled out for up to three weeks after picking up a calf injury in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend. James McArthur is still out with a hip problem, while Nathan Ferguson lacks match fitness.
No fresh injury concerns were reported for Crystal Palace against Man United on Wednesday, so Patrick Vieira is set to have the same squad available on Saturday.
Goalkeeper
Vicente Guaita has been one of Crystal Palace’s best players this season, and he deserves to start in goal again. The Spaniard will be hoping to keep a clean sheet at the weekend.
Defence
After Joachim Andersen was ruled out, Patrick Vieira chose Chris Richards to deputise in the Dane’s absence at the back against Man United and he did well. Richards is expected to start again alongside captain Marc Guehi in central defence, as the duo look to keep a dangerous Newcastle side at bay.
Full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Tyrick Mitchell dealt well with Man United’s tricky wide players, which should give them a lot of confidence heading into the Newcastle game.
Midfield
Will Hughes and Cheick Doucoure should form the double pivot in midfield again, having performed well in midweek against Man United. Hughes and Doucoure have to be smart in possession and tenacious without it against a well-oiled Newcastle midfield.
Eberechi Eze came off the bench and made an impact against Man United. He should be pushing to start on Saturday.
Attack
Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta could drop out of the starting XI, with Eberechi Eze and Jordan Ayew taking their spots in attack. Wilfried Zaha is Palace’s best player and should keep his place on the left flank. Michael Olise’s confidence will be high after scoring a stunning free-kick from a long distance against Erik ten Hag’s Man United. He is a certainty to start on the right wing.
The attacking quartet of Zaha, Ayew, Olise and Eze have the qualities to cause problems for the Newcastle backline.
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