Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,107.
Saturday 30 April 2016 16:46, UK
Rafa Benitez has no fresh injury concerns as Newcastle look to boost their survival hopes in the Premier League with a win over Crystal Palace and their former manager Alan Pardew.
Pardew could receive a frosty reception from Magpies supporters as he leads his side, who last weekend secured their place in this season's FA Cup final, at St James' Park for the first time since leaving Newcastle to take charge at Selhurst Park in December 2014.
Second-bottom Newcastle are a point adrift of safety with three games remaining, having played a match more than their relegation rivals Sunderland and Norwich City.
Team news
Fabricio Coloccini (calf) and Daryl Janmaat (groin and hand) will both be missing once but are due to resume training next week, the latter wearing a protective cast.
Fellow defender Kevin Mbabu is fit after a thigh injury, but goalkeepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot (both knee) and defenders Steven Taylor (muscle strain) and Massadio Haidara (knee) also remain on the sidelines.
Palace will continue to monitor Wilfried Zaha's fitness in the hope he recovers from a leg injury in time for their visit to the north east. Pardew has said it is "50-50" as to whether the winger will be involved.
Beyond Zaha, only Palace's long-term absentees Marouane Chamakh, Brede Hangeland and Paddy McCarthy are unavailable.
Opta stats
The meeting earlier this season was the first time since March 1998 that Newcastle had lost against Crystal Palace in all competitions (won eight, drawn three).
Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has scored in all three of his Premier League matches against Crystal Palace.
The Magpies have won more points in their last three Premier League games (five) than they did in their previous 10 (four).
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last three games (won one, drawn two) and they haven't gone four games unbeaten in the Premier League since Alan Pardew's tenure (six games in Oct-Nov 2014).
Just 54.9 per cent of the passes that Newcastle have made this season in the Premier League have been in the opposition half; a league-low.
Emmanuel Adebayor has scored six goals and assisted six more in his last nine Premier League games against Newcastle United. He jointly holds the Premier League record for most assists in a single game (four for Spurs v Newcastle - February 2012).
Crystal Palace have won only once in Premier League in 2016, the fewest so far.
Crystal Palace have won six competitive matches in 2016, but five of these have come in the FA Cup.
Palace have won a joint-league low tally of eight points in the Premier League in 2016, alongside already relegated Aston Villa.
The Eagles haven't won a Premier League away game since December 19, 2015 - they have picked up just five points in nine road trips since.
Merson's prediction
I've got to go for Newcastle, they've got too much to play for. Palace have just had a hard game at Wembley and are in the final of the FA Cup, whereas Newcastle are fighting for their lives.
If Newcastle can just start well I think they'll win the game. I'm going to for a massive three points for Newcastle.
Paul predicts: Newcastle 2-1 Palace - Papiss Cisse to score first
Betting
Sky Bet make Newcastle favourites at evens to take all three points against Crystal Palace on Saturday with the draw available at 12/5. Despite Newcastle going three matches without defeat the Toon remain 1/4 to be relegated.
After scoring the winner at Wembley last week Sky Bet have priced up Palace's Connor Wickham at 7/1 to score the opening goal with Papiss Cisse a 9/2 shot for the hosts. Soccer Saturday pundits Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier both expect Rafa Benitez's men to get the win they need in their relegation battle. Check out their tips and all the big match odds here.
