Crystal Palace came agonisingly close to beating Arsenal but should take heart, and confidence, going forward against Newcastle especially with talisman Wilfried Zaha likely to return. Patrick Vieira’s approach of building on Roy Hodgson’s solid base rather than starting from scratch is working rather well but the Frenchman will demand further cutting edge that, Newcastle, proud owners of the league’s worst defence could happily afford. Without a permanent manager, Newcastle’s players can play without pressure and with the hope of impressing the incoming coach. Graham Searles
Saturday 3pm
Venue Selhurst Park
Last season Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle 2
Referee Darren England
This season G2 Y13 R1 7 cards/game
Odds H Evens A 3-1 D 45-17
CRYSTAL PALACE
Subs from Butland, Kelly, Clyne, Tomkins, Riedewald, Banks, Hannam, Street, Rak-Sakyi, Mateta, Schlupp, Ayew, Olise, Hughes, Kouyaté
Doubtful None
Injured Eze (achilles, unknown), Ferguson (achilles, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y11 R0
Form DWLDDD
Leading scorer Édouard 3
NEWCASTLE
Subs from Gillespie, Schär, Lewis, Krafth, Murphy, Hendrick, Gayle, Anderson, White, Longstaff, Fernández
Doubtful None
Injured Dubravka (foot, Nov)
Suspended Shelvey (one match)
Discipline Y20 R1
Form DLDDLL
Leading scorer Wilson 3