Zaha will again be the key man as the Eagles try to take out their early-season frustrations on struggling United
NEWCASTLE United face a stiff test at Selhurst Park tomorrow in what is supposed to be one of their easier tasks in the first 10 games in the Premier League this season.
However, they will arrive to face an Eagles side which is going well at the moment with fans in good fettle following their weekend victory at Huddersfield Town.
We asked Crystal Palace reporter Robert Warlow of Football. London his views on what Newcastle are facing this weekend.
HOW DO YOU ASSESS PALACE’S START TO THE SEASON SO FAR? It has been a little bit frustrating. After starting with a good win at Fulham on the opening day, it fell a bit flat with defeats against Liverpool, Watford and Southampton.
However, the return of Wilfried Zaha and James Tomkins on Saturday helped Palace to a 1-0 win at Huddersfield, even though the performance was not great.
All in all six points from the first five games is not disastrous.
If the Eagles can win on Saturday they should be in a good position after six games. WHAT IS THE CURRENT MOOD AMONG SUPPORTERS? There are concerns about the atmosphere at Selhurst Park this season, the Holmesdale fanatics not active in their usual location in Block B at the two home games so far. It has had an impact on the atmosphere and former Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy said after helping Southampton to a 2-0 win in the last game at Selhurst Park it was not as intimidating a place to visit as it had been previously.
Palace have lost both games at home so far and they really need to try and turn that around if they are to have the sort of season they are hoping for.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS A REALISTIC AIM FOR PALACE THIS SEASON?
Given how they finished last season, there were high hopes of a push for a top-half finish this time around.
The start has perhaps tempered the expectations a little bit and much will depend on keeping key players, and most importantly of all, Wilfried Zaha, fit.
Yet a comfortable season free from the stress of a relegation battle
would be a step in the right direction for Palace and with the squad they have they are capable of that.
WHAT ARE THE KEY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE SIDE?
Undoubtedly, the main strength is Zaha.
When he is in the team, Palace are a more confident outfit and he has that ability to produce something out of nothing - as he did to help his side to victory at Huddersfield.
Palace are also defensively sound, Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho forging a successful partnership at the heart of the defence - they have only lost against Liverpool when they have played together.
A weakness at the moment does seem to be in midfield, with captain Luka Milivojevic out of sorts in the early stages of the season and Palace struggling to assert control of games in the middle of the park in recent weeks.
Since the departures of Yohan Cabaye and Ruben LoftusCheek from last season’s squad, they have not yet found a longterm formula for the midfield, although they have options to change things with players like Max Meyer still waiting for a first start in the Premier League.
WHAT SORT OF GAME DO YOU EXPECT AT SELHURST PARK ON SATURDAY?
Palace will be favourites for the game, given the current positions of the two sides, but I don’t expect them to have it all their way.
Newcastle will be a tough nut to crack and unless Palace can somehow get themselves in front early on I can see it being a frustrating afternoon for them.
All eyes will be on Zaha after his comments at the weekend and it will be interesting to see how Newcastle deal with him but given how the Magpies have been playing defensively I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring affair.
WHAT IS PALACE’S LIKELY LINE-UP?
Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Kouyate, McArthur, Townsend, Zaha, Ayew.
WHAT IS YOUR SCORE PREDICTION?
I think it will be close but I can see Palace edging it. A familiar score for Newcastle fans this season. 2-1.