Crystal Palace will play hosts to Newcastle United at the Selhurst Park on Sunday looking to continue their recent good form in the Premier League. The Eagles are currently flying high in the league and have suffered just one defeat in their last five league matches. Roy Hodgson’s men will now look to earn a victory against their relegation-threatened rivals, Newcastle in what can prove to be a ‘relegation six-pointer’ on Sunday. Both teams are in danger of suffering the agony of relegation to the Skybet Championship which makes this a crucial contest that could turn out to be a season-defining experience for both clubs.
The recent history of the fixture makes a grim reading for the Eagles as they have lost their previous two encounters with the Magpies. Their only previous meeting this season ended with the Tyneside club coming out on top with a 1-0 scoreline at St. James Park. Palace boss Roy Hodgson is expected to opt for a 4-4-2 formation and might hand a start to Mamadou Sakho in defence and Yohan Cabaye in midfield. Bacary Sako will be out for the remainder of the season following his injury their last league outing versus West Ham United. Both Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon have also been sidelined due to injury and are not ready to return to first-team action.
4-4-2 Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup To Face Newcastle United
Defence
Wayne Hennessey will start in goal for the Eagles and might be shielded by a backline of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho in central defence along with Patrick van Aanholt taking his place at left-back while Timothy Fosu-Mensah starts on the right side of the back four.
Roy Hodgson will be hoping that his defenders can keep a rare clean sheet at home in Sunday’s clash against the Magpies.
Midfield
The duo of Luka Milivojevic and Yohan Cabaye will take their place as holding midfielders with James McArthur hugging the left touchline while Andros Townsend looks to cause damage from the right. The Eagles midfielders will be tasked to create some opportunities for their forwards to feed on and their performance on the day could decide the fate of the contest.
Attack
The striking duo of Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha will be expected to start up top for Crystal Palace. The big Belgian scored in their last league outing versus West Ham United and will look to get his name on the scoresheet once again when he laces up to take on the Tyneside club on Sunday.
