Newcastle vs Crystal Palace – Can the Magpies bounce back against wounded Eagles?
Posted on December 19th, 2019 | No Comments |
No UK TV.
After the disappointment of a narrow defeat to Burnley (after a dodgy decision too), Steve Bruce and the Magpies will be looking for a return to winning form at home against Roy Hodgson’s wounded Eagles on Saturday.
Injuries and Suspensions
It is no secret that Crystal Palace have had something of an injury crisis in recent times with Newcastle United old boys Patrick van Aanholt and Andros Townsend out, as well as Jeffrey Schlupp, Gary Cahill (knee) and Jairo Riedewald, with Mamadou Sakho still suspended for a straight red card.
On the other hand it could also be said that Newcastle United also have more than their fair share of injury problems too with Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Matt Ritchie (ankle), Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) Ki Sung-Yueng and DeAndre Yedlin out with Jonjo Shelvey (calf), Miguel Almirón (hamstring) and Ciaran Clark doubtful. So despite Hodgson’s moaning about his current injury woes, it looks like the Magpies could be even worse!
One Crystal Palace player who will be fit however is danger man, Wilfried Zaha.
Recent Form
In terms of recent form over their last five league games, the Eagles have the smallest advantage, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last 5 games against Newcastle’s 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, with Crystal Palace standing at 9th and Newcastle at 11th in the table. Despite this slight advantage to Palace, Newcastle go into this game as slight favourites with the bookies. If you were thinking of having a bet on the game a good place to start would be PowerPlay for all the best odds and offers.
Despite Newcastle United’s well known problem with scoring (17 goals in 17 games), Crystal Palace are one of only two teams who have scored less in the Premier League so far with only 15 (Watford are lowest with 9). Alternatively, the Eagles have a better defensive record, conceeding only 19 goals to the Magpies’ 24.
In terms of head to head games, Newcastle United have done better in the last five games with all of them being close affairs which were either draws or decided by 1 goal. Newcastle have 2 wins, 2 draws and a single defeat, however, that single defeat was the last game back in April and the two before that were the draws so if you take the last 3 games instead of 5, then it’s Palace who have the advantage.
Conclusion
Overall this should be a fairly close game between two mid-table sides. Whilst Crystal Palace have always been ahead of the Magpies this season, Newcastle United will have the home advantage, though with the boycott of Mike Ashley this season, St James’ Park hasn’t quite been as ‘atmospheric’ as usual with many empty seats to be seen during home games. With his recent form, Newcastle will miss Jonjo Shelvey if he doesn’t make it for Saturday so fingers crossed for that!
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket
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