Crystal Palace host Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League matchweek 9.
We look at a few stats to predict the match.
Crystal Palace have a new definition under Patrick Vieira. They currently sit in 14th position in the table with one win in eight matches, but have drawn five of their matches and against bigger outfits like Arsenal and Leicester. They might not have a lot of eye-catching results to show for but fans and critics alike would agree on the fact that the Eagles are a much more stable and solid team this season. Vieira’s men are getting more and more comfortable under their new skin and Saturday at home against Newcastle might just be the perfect time to unleash the beast and they would be surely eyeing for it.
Palace have the third-lowest xG in the league of 9.26 but have not struggled to score goals. Except against Liverpool, they have been able to unlock all other defences they have faced in the last five matches, scoring eight of their ten goals in recent weeks. It has been a good time in front of goal for them with Odsonne Edouard being the highest scorer in the squad with three. Conor Gallagher remains a potential threat as well.
Newcastle United have had a start which they probably would not want to remember for long. With well inside the relegation zone on 19th position, they are yet to register a win this season. They have lost their last two matches but both have been on a very narrow margin. The club has already undergone a transfer in terms of management in recent times and manager Steve Bruce has been sacked. Newcastle walk into this match without Bruce on the sidelines embarking on a new future and hope it to be good one.
The Magpies have scored 10 goals from an xG of 10.61 exactly the same amount as their opponents. They have scored in all of their last five matches, so scoring has not been a problem for them, defending their lead has been. Callum Wilson is back from injury and already scored on his return taking his tally to three goals. Allan Saint-Maximin will definitely be the biggest threat in the squad.
Palace have an xGA of 12.13 so far conceding 13 goals in total. For three consecutive matches, they have conceded goals in the injury time to bottle their chances of winning. They have been unable to see through the whole match and had to settle for draws instead. This is the area the Eagles need to turn their attention to. They have been a stable defensive side but lack of concentration towards the end of the matches have cost them. Wilson and Saint-Maximin can actually hurt them if this situation prevails.
Newcastle have the worst defence in the league and that says enough for their condition. They have the highest xGA of 16.66 so far and have conceded 19 goals even outperforming their metric. In eight matches, the Magpies have zero clean sheets to show for and have been the most vulnerable defence. Steve Bruce’ extra defensive approach to make them seem strong at the back has failed and he is out the way. But, problems at the back needs to be addressed as quickly as possible, otherwise the pacey, creative Palace forwards are going to cause havoc with the home support around them.
Wilfried Zaha is hopefully set to make a return from his injury while Eberechi Eze still remains sidelined for the hosts.
Jonjo Shelvey is suspended for the match while Freddie Woodman, Martin Dubravka and Paul Dummett all remain sidelined due to injuries for the visitors.
We predict a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace.
Predicted XI
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Gallagher, Milivojevic, McArthur, Edouard, Benteke, Zaha.
Newcastle United (4-5-1): Darlow, Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie, Saint-Maximin, Willock, Hayden, Almiron, Joelinton, Wilson.
