Crystal Palace vs Newcastle preview, predictions & confirmed line-ups
Crystal Palace and Newcastle United meet this weekend aiming to create some breathing space between themselves and drop zone.
Both sides have been patchy in 2020 so far and will know they are far from safe yet as the relegation battle intensifies.
So, in what is usually a low-scoring affair, who will do enough to edge past the opposition at Selhurst Park?
Read on for our preview, predictions, team news, possible XIs and more.
When is Crystal Palace vs Newcastle and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Selhurst Park
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2020
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Crystal Palace vs Newcastle
21 Dec 2019: Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
6 Apr 2019: Newcastle 0-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
22 Sep 2018: Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle (Premier League)
4 Feb 2018: Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle (Premier League)
21 Oct 2017: Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Crystal Palace (LWDDL) 2-3 Newcastle (WLDDW)
Ones to watch
Crystal Palace: James McArthur
There have been five goals in the last five meetings between Palace and Newcastle, so there is a good chance the ball will spend a lot of time in the middle third on Saturday.
That’s why James McArthur will have to be on his game. Not only will he have to battle for possession, but he’ll also need to use the ball creatively when he manages to intercept Newcastle attacks.
The Scot is yet to score in the Premier League this season, so he’ll be looking to get into advanced positions as often as possible in order to change that.
Key stat: Only five midfielders have made more interceptions than McArthur in the Premier League this season (45).
Newcastle: Allan Saint-Maximin
Newcastle have looked devoid of creativity in recent weeks. Indeed, they needed the individual brilliance of Allan Saint-Maximin to bail them out against Oxford United in the FA Cup.
The Frenchman also looked the most likely player to make something happen at Arsenal last weekend, and if Newcastle perform like that again, he’ll need to pull something out of the bag against Palace.
Saint-Maximin will be looking to outshine one of the Premier League’s other top dribblers on the opposite team, Wilfried Zaha.
Key stat: Only Adama Traore, Wilfried Zaha and Emiliano Buendia have completed more dribbles than Saint-Maximin in the Premier League this season (67).
Confirmed Crystal Palace line-up
COME ON YOU PALACE#CPFC | #CRYNEW
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 22, 2020
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Confirmed Newcastle line-up
TEAM-NEWS 🚨
Come on, lads! ⚫️⚪️#CRYNEW | #NUFC pic.twitter.com/EqvnAlsolj
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 22, 2020
Squawka prediction
Newcastle must respond to their tepid display at Arsenal with a more committed performance against Palace, but the hosts need the points just as badly.
Roy Hodgson will surely have his players up for this, yet a lack of goals in the squad could continue to hurt the Eagles.
Ultimately, Palace should have just about enough to see off Newcastle here.
