Crystal Palace managed to get back to winning ways last week, after they narrowly beat Huddersfield Town, to register just their second win of the league campaign. The Eagles lost to Southampton, Watford and Liverpool but have picked up six points from the other two games and would hope to continue their run this weekend when they welcome Newcastle United to Selhurst Park.
The Magpies have picked up just one point from their first five games this season. But they faced Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in their last three games. The quality Newcastle showed in those games could trouble Palace. However, Roy Hodgson should settle for nothing less than three points and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
Hodgson is still without the likes of Scott Dann, Connor Wickham, Pape Souare and Christian Benteke, all of whom are long-term absentees. He does not have any new injury issues to worry about ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
Wayne Hennessey has been one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the league this season. He is one of the first names on the team sheet for Palace this season. The manager has a settled backline, with Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins playing at the heart of the backline. Up against the likes of Salomon Rondon, they would need to be ready for a tough challenge against Rafa Benitez’s men.
Aaron Wan Bissaka is showing progress by the game and has been effective at both ends of the field. He will get a chance to impose himself on the game and could be the danger man for the visitors in this game. He will start at right-back while Patrick van Aanholt would keep his place in the side at left-back.
Midfield:
Luka Milivojevic has been effective this season in the middle of the park for Hodgson’s side. He will need to have an impressive outing if Palace are to take anything from this game. Milivojevic will play at the heart of the midfield with Chiekhou Kouyate, who impressed in the victory over Town last weekend, who would play to his right.
James McArthur has been a regular in the first team this season, and he would start to the left of Milivojevic, completing Palace’s midfield.
Attack:
Wilfried Zaha scored the winner in the last game for Palace. He will be up against Federico Fernandez and DeAndre Yedlin, who would stick close to him. Andros Townsend will support him on the right flank in the attack.
In the absence of Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew was given a chance in the last game, and he did enough to retain his place in the side for this game against Newcastle United.
Here is how they might line up:
