Team news and stats ahead of Crystal Palace vs Newcastle in the Premier League on Friday (kick-off 8pm).
Team news
Crystal Palace will again be without Wilfried Zaha as the forward continues his period of self-isolation following a positive coronavirus test.
Captain Luka Milivojevic, who had been isolating in Serbia, has been given the all-clear to train again following a negative test for Covid-19, but the midfielder is not yet back in contention.
Eagles boss Roy Hodgson has no fresh injury concerns, with defender James Tomkins (thigh) stepping up his rehabilitation, while Wayne Hennessey (thigh), Nathan Ferguson (knee) and Connor Wickham (thigh) are all long-term absentees.
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Newcastle will have striker Callum Wilson back in contention after a hamstring problem.
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Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring) and Matt Ritchie (shoulder) are also available again, although because the pair have been sidelined for a number of weeks, it seems unlikely either will be thrust into the starting XI.
Magpies head coach Steve Bruce revealed "two or three" unnamed individuals are self-isolating because of coronavirus, while a couple of others are carrying minor fitness issues.
How to follow
Follow Crystal Palace vs Newcastle in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
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Jones Knows prediction
Is there anything better in life than being tucked up in a national lockdown, watching Roy Hodgson and Steve Bruce teams play football? Remember, 2020 has been a year for managing boredom - a skill you can put it to good use for this one. Goals should be in short supply.
With no Wilfried Zaha, Palace will be lacking a game-changer in their ranks. In the 16 games Zaha has not started in the last three seasons Palace average just 0.4 goals per-game without him, in comparison to 1.2 with him. We all know what Newcastle will bring to the party; not much entertainment. Bruce will set them up to be hard to beat. The 0-0 looks a runner.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 0-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Opta stats
- After winning their first four Premier League away games against Crystal Palace between 1994-2013, Newcastle are winless in their last five top-flight visits to Selhurst Park (D3 L2).
- There have been just seven goals scored in the last seven Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace (3 goals) and Newcastle (4), with neither side netting more than once in a match since the Eagles' 5-1 win in November 2015.
- Crystal Palace are winless in all 12 of their top-flight league games played on Fridays (D5 L7). It's the most games played by a club on a specific weekday without picking up a single victory in top-flight history.
- Crystal Palace have alternated between victory and defeat in their last four Premier League games, losing 0-1 against Burnley last time out.
- Newcastle have lost their last two Premier League games by a 0-2 scoreline. They've not lost three in a row without scoring in the competition since January 2016.
- Newcastle have lost more Premier League away games in London than any other side in the competition's history (79). However, the Magpies are unbeaten in the capital so far this season (W1 D1), last going three without defeat in London between May 2013-January 2014 (5).
- Newcastle have had fewer shots (71) and fewer shots on target (21) than any other side in the Premier League so far this season. However, the Magpies have scored with a higher percentage of their shots on target than any other Premier League side this term (48% - 10/21).
- Newcastle have scored a league-high 80% of their Premier League goals in the second half of games this season (8/10). The Magpies have also seen a league-high 12 goals in the final 15 minutes of their games this season, scoring five and conceding seven.
- Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow has made more saves than any other Premier League keeper this season (41), while only Edouard Mendy (87.5%) has a better save percentage than Darlow (72.2%).
Pitch to Post Preview: Are Chelsea and Spurs title contenders? Plus Man Utd 'leader' Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal's creativity problems, and more!
This week on the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Peter Smith is joined by Michael Bridge and Charlotte Marsh to look ahead to a blockbuster London derby between title hopefuls Chelsea and Tottenham. James Cooper explains how Bruno Fernandes has become Man Utd's leader, and we analyse Arsenal's creativity problems.
Plus, Tim Thornton has the latest from Leeds and Sheffield United - including the story of how the Blades almost signed Diego Maradona! Charlotte then makes her bold Pitch for what she thinks will happen in this weekend's Premier League action…
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