Alan Pardew faces his former team as Crystal Palace visit St James' Park on Saturday. Pardew has managed Newcastle for four years before moving to Palace and now he could contribute to his former club's relegation. The Eagles have the FA Cup final to look forward to as their league worries are pretty much over, while Newcastle are still in the relegation zone and in desperate need of points. Crystal Palace won the reverse fixture 5-1 this season, it was their first win against the Magpies since 1998.
Newcastle have shown signs of life under new boss Rafael Benitez, earning creditable draws against big teams like Manchester City and Liverpool. But at this stage of the season they need to collect wins, as soon as possible and as many as possible. They are now just one point away from safety, but both Sunderland and Norwich have a game in hand, so they need the three points on Saturday, no question about that. The Magpies are unbeaten in three league matches. Goalkeepers Rob Elliot and Tim Krul are both injured, while defenders Daryl Janmaat and Fabricio Coloccini are also likely to miss out.
Alan Pardew and his Crystal Palace are having a disappointing finale to their Premier League campaign, they had been touted as contenders for the European places around Christmas but then went on a run of 14 games without a win and dropped towards the relegation zone. They steadied the ship just in time, losing just one of their last five league meetings, and now they are 8 points clear of the danger zone with salvation pretty much secured. They should be more worried about the FA Cup final than the remaining league matches but they also know that a win at Newcastle will mathematically secure their survival with two games to spare.
Probable line-ups:
Newcastle: Darlow - Anita, Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett - Townsend, Tiote, Colback, Sissoko - Perez - Cisse
Palace: Hennessey - Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare - Puncheon, Cabaye, Jedinak, Sako - Bolasie - Wickham
My prediction: Newcastle to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Newcastle win - 2.00 Draw - 3.60 Crystal Palace win - 4.00
sharpe
7 years ago
It was really bad season for Newcastle and it wasn't surprising that the team had left the top flight league in the end. Palace was even trended from relegation by that time but not too much really, they've had great FA Cup campaign which was their main priority after they assure the staying in the Premier League.
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Alexa Alexa 7 years ago
Newcastle finally is not in relegation zone.This is huge win and huge 3 points for them.Honestly,I really think that Newcastle deserves a spot in a Premier LEague next season.They have few very gifted players and they are club of huge tradition and bright past.IT wont be easy for them to keep this status,In next round...
Newcastle finally is not in relegation zone.This is huge win and huge 3 points for them.Honestly,I really think that Newcastle deserves a spot in a Premier LEague next season.They have few very gifted players and they are club of huge tradition and bright past.IT wont be easy for them to keep this status,In next round they will travel and face Aston Villa,while Sunderland hosts Chelsea.After this matches,Newcastle could be safe.
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mannixx
7 years ago
Really important win by Newcastle , Townsend looks like a great deal from Newcastle, but they are still far away from safe zone cuz they are one point ahead Sunderland and two points ahead Norwich but they have played one game more but have a big chance next game when they will face Aston Villa.
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