After a couple of bad results at the start of the season, Newcastle have turned their season around, becoming very difficult to beat and picking up regular points. Crystal Palace have had a torrid time so far this season, although they won their first game last weekend, a shock 2-1 home victory over Chelsea. After seven straight losses before that they must build on what they did last weekend, before they find themselves in a tricky position they can’t get out of.
While Newcastle have steadied the ship, they haven’t won their last three games and going back home they will have set their sights on a win in this game. If they manage to win this game then that would cement their status as a mid-table team, something that would be seen as an overachievement for them this season.
English Premier League – St. James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne – Saturday 21st October 2017 – 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/2 at Ladbrokes |
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Newcastle
Crystal PalaceNewcastle Form
After their opening two games, many Newcastle fans wondered what their team would need to do to survive, after missing out on many signings during the summer. However, since then Rafa Benitez has pulled the team together and they have been very impressive. They have lost just one of their last five, although with two draws in that run, they need to try and find a way to turn draws into wins if they are to remain in the middle of the table. A late penalty prevented Newcastle from picking up what would have been a fantastic three points against Southampton last weekend. That would have put them tied for 5th position in the league and considering their start, it would have been a great achievement. Newcastle don’t need to do anything special to finish mid-table this season, and by winning a few of their drawn games they will have a great chance of it happening.
Crystal Palace Form
The start to the season has been terrible for Crystal Palace, going seven games without a win and without scoring a single goal. That caused them to change their manager, with Frank de Boer going out and Roy Hodgson coming in. He has a more defensive style of play than de Boer, which may help in the short term.
Their victory last weekend came out of the blue, but they did perform very well and took advantage of a below par Chelsea performance. They hadn’t scored a goal but bagged not only one, but two goals and they have to build on the confidence they picked up form that game.
Things still look tough for Palace and they are still five points away from safety. They don’t have to start winning games straight away, but chipping away at that gap will be their focus over the next few weeks. Even just one point away from home in this game would be a huge boost for their survival chances.
Team News
Newcastle are beginning to improve going forward, with Perez, Joselu and Christian Atsu beginning to click. Despite that though they have only scored nine goals this season, and their attacking players need to combine to score more going forward if mid-table is a realistic goal.
Crystal Palace scored their first two goals of the season, an own goal and a goal from Wilfried Zaha. Both Zaha and Andros Townsend combined well playing together in attack and that will have given the Crystal Palace fans hope. With Christian Benteke out for a few more weeks, those two will have to carry the team in attack and much more will be needed from them.
Top Betting Tips
Although Crystal Palace managed to beat Chelsea last weekend, I can’t see their run of form lasting long and I am predicting that Newcastle will be able to beat them in this one. At home Newcastle have the ability to be very strong, and they are evens with Betfred and Stan James to win the game, which I believe is tremendous value.
Crystal Palace have struggled in front of goal and I think that will continue against a Newcastle team that have conceded just eight goals in their opening eight games. That defensive record will be enough to give Newcastle the win, they have looked better in front of goal recently and despite Crystal Palace playing more defensively, they will find a way past. Newcastle have high hopes of a mid-table finish this season and a win here would help them fulfil those hopes. They have the ability to beat Crystal Palace in this one and are good value to do that.