Crystal Palace welcome top-four chasing Newcastle United to Selhurst Park in a tricky Premier League encounter.
Victory could see Palace climb to 11th if Aston Villa lose elsewhere earlier in the day (21 January), whilst Newcastle can go third with a win.
Team News
Palace have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-1 draw against Manchester United in midweek.
Joachim Andersen (calf), James McArthur (groin) and Nathan Ferguson (foot) remain absent.
Newcastle will be without Bruno Guimaraes after the Brazilian midfielder suffered an ankle injury in their win against Fulham last weekend.
Emil Krafth (knee), Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Matt Targett (heel) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace take on Newcastle at Selhurst Park in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 21 January, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace have won just one of their last five league meetings against Newcastle (W1, D2, L2).
- Newcastle have won just one of their last seven visits to Palace (W1, D4, L2).
- Callum Wilson has scored in each of Newcastle’s last two visits to Selhurst Park (W1, D1).
- No Palace player this season has been involved in more league goals than Wilfried Zaha, who has produced six goals and two assists in 18 appearances.
- Newcastle haven’t conceded in their last five league matches (W3, L2).
Prediction
Having found themselve on the unlucky end of a narrow defeat at Chelsea last Sunday, Palace certainly looked more resilient and competitive against a dominant Man Utd team in midweek with a stubborn defensive display and neater end product.
Newcastle though got a glimpse of playing without Guimaraes in midfield in the second half of their win against Fulham, in which they were as dominant as they were with him on the pitch amidst several indecisive final touch on shots yet one clinical goal proved the difference.
Selhurst Park though has been a difficult hunting ground for Newcastle in recent seasons and with Palace capable of mounting a stubborn but resilient performance, I do expect this game to be a potential banana skin but Newcastle’s fresher legs could well be crucial otherwise expect a draw.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United
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