Crystal Palace vs Newcastle: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week's Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park

Alan Pardew reacts on the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will pit himself against his former employers for the first time since leaving on Wednesday at Selhurst Park.

Since Pardew’s departure from St James’ Park in December, Newcastle have won just twice in seven games whereas the Eagles have been in sparkling form, triumphing in five of their six games under their former player.

Two places and five points separate the two sides and bragging rights will very much be on each side’s agenda. Influential defender Scott Dann suffered a clash of heads in the first half in their 1-0 victory against Leicester City but has not been concussed and should be fit for Wednesday’s clash.

Striker Marouane Chamakh is in contention to return to the starting line-up as is DR Congo star Yannick Bolasie after returning from African Nations Cup duty but captain Mile Jedinak will not feature due to a troublesome ankle injury.

Head coach John Carver welcomed back several returning players, Papiss Cisse, Gabriel Obertan and Paul Dummett, in their 1-1 draw with Stoke City on Sunday but Siem de Jong and Rolando Aarons are not expected to recover in time.

The Eagles host Liverpool next weekend in the FA Cup but more importantly a win in the Premier League for them could potentially put them nine points clear of safety, so don’t expect Pardew to rest any players for this grudge match.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday 8pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Crystal Palace 2 (Gayle, Kaikai) Newcastle United 3 (Riviere 2, Dummett), Capital One Cup, September 2014

Newcastle United 3 (Janmaat, Aarons, Williamson) Crystal Palace 3 (Gayle, Puncheon, Zaha), Premier League, August 2014

Newcastle United 1 (Cisse) Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, March 2014

STATS…

The North East side in the top flight yet to see an opposition player shown a red card this season.
Now Head Coach John Carver’s outfit have scored more goals from players coming off the bench than any other team in the Premier League this season (9).

Mile Jedinak has made more interceptions in the Premier League than anyone else this season (68).

Palace have not beaten Newcastle in ten attempts, stretching back to March 1998 when Kenny Dalglish was in charge of the Magpies.

ODDS…

Crystal Palace to win: 2.20

Newcastle to win: 3.25

Draw: 3.3

TV: Highlights are on MOTD on Wednesday at 10.45pm.