NUFC v Palace- Match Preview

Newcastle, aiming to get back to winning ways, take on Palace, with problems of their own. After Forest’s 5 goal win last night, a defeat would ensure that the Magpies lose top spot.Palace visit whilst having problems of their own. Under pressure from HM Revenue and Customs, administration is in the air, with the possibility that their season will dramatically turn from seeking a playoff place, they could be on the fringes of the relegation battle.

Both clubs have problems in team selection. Palace have players who could be negotiating new contracts elsewhere, whilst the limited size of the Newcastle squad means that injuries and a suspension cause a huge headache.

The man with the dilemma for Palace is Neil Warnock. He will need no reminding that on his last visit, with Sheffield United, Newcastle did the double over his side. That season saw his side controversially relegated.

Despite injuries elsewhere, Speroni in goal seems an automatic selection with only 3 goals against in the last 5 league games. Of the defence, Lee Hills is almost definite, being fit. Austrian Ertl is also likely to figure, being pulled back from midfield. Clyne is also expected at right back.

Top scorer is a Newcastle old boy, in the shape of Darren Ambrose, who will relish a return. It seems likely that left sided revelation, Victor Moses might be missing as he negotiates a transfer. Elsewhere, the financial predicament throws all plans in the air.

Hughton’s dilemma is in defence. Steve Harper will look to ensure that his own record is maintained, with only 6 goals conceded at home in the league. However, it is not so obvious who will be playing in front of him, although the Latin pair of Coloccini and Enrique are certain starters.

The first quandary is in central defence with Steve Taylor injured. The teenager, Tamas Kadar is the natural choice to slot in. At right back, new permanent signing Simpson was injured in the league game against West Brom, with Ryan Taylor suspended from the cup match. 3^rd choice, Geremi is negotiating a move away which could lead to a home league debut for Tavernier.

Smith will be looking to keep his holding midfield role, with Jonas a guaranteed starter on the left. Nolan without a goal for a month, could be under threat from the team’s most creative player, Guthrie. A debut awaits on the right for new exciting signing Wayne Routledege, against the club where he started his career.

Up front decsions of a different sort must be made. Top striker for the season, Shola, will want to make his 200^th league appearance, preferably as a starter. In his way are Lovenkrands, scorer of 4 in his last 2 starts, and Carroll, who took two chances so well in the cup match at the Hawthorns.

Referee for the occasion is Russell Booth fromMansfield. Booth has cited his refereeing hero as Alan Wiley, for being “low profile and never gets mixed up in controversy”. This could be a welcome aspiration after the last two Toon matches, although Booth has been noted for a controversial late postponement AT Walsall as well as a disaster on a recent visit to Hartlepool. New to St James’, his last outing with Palace saw them win away at West Brom.

Palace’s form is more than respectable, being undefeated since mid December when Warnock came up against his previous club, the last outing being a cup draw against Premier League opposition.

The Toon on the other hand have a 12 game unbeaten league run, but with only 1 win in the last 5 matches. However, West Brom remain the only team to score away at St James’ since 7^th November.

With form as a guide, Newcastle should create a gap at the top of the table. Whether the gap is 1 point or 3 depends on the motivation of the visitors to find themselves new clubs before the transfer deadline, and Hughton’s ability to plug the defensive gaps.

Palace have only scored once at St James’ in 5 visits in the 2^nd tier. They have only won twice, in 1907 in the FA Cup and 1971 in the old first division. Newcastle have never gone consecutive home games against Palace without winning, the last outing being a Premier League draw, so 1-0 or 2-0 would seem safe bets.

Newcastle v Palace at SJP:

P18 W12 D4 L2 F29 A10

League

P12 W7 D4 L1 F16 A6

2^nd tier

P5 W4 D1 L0 F7 A1