Crystal Palace (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

“We couldn’t be more together at the moment. There’s a feeling of us internally knowing we’re against everyone else & that’s healthy and I’d embrace that.”

After Wednesday's farce at Anfield, these words from Eddie Howe are music to the ears of Newcastle fans as we return to home turf, hoping to take our frustrations out on Crystal Palace in the best way possible - three points.

There'll be a lot of tired legs in the camp, but the players will arrive with the bit between their teeth after what happened in midweek, with a sold out St James' Park ready to roar on the lads who did us proud - once again - a few nights ago.

Palace look a good side this season and are always improving under Patrick Vieira. Wilfried Zaha is a huge threat down the left and they have several brilliant athletes in their side who are equally trick with the ball at their feet in Ebere Eze and Michael Olise. Andersen and Guehi are one of the Premier League's underrated centre-back pairings too, so this will be another tough test - especially when they've had an extra days rest.

It would be a huge boost if either Bruno Guimaraes or Allan Saint-Maximin can pass a late fitness test, as the pair have been our difference makers in our opening two home games this season. However, we now have another match-winner in Alexander Isak, who's poised to make his first appearance at St James' Park after an electric display at Anfield.

Team news

Alexander Isak has shrugged off a 'dead leg', but Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin are doubts - even if their hamstring issues are "nothing serious", says Howe.

Callum Wilson remains out with a hamstring injury, being a little behind ASM and Bruno in his recovery, while Jonjo Shelvey (hamstring) and Emil Krafth (ACL) remain out.

For the visitors, Tyrick Mitchell could return at left-back and Will Hughes is fit again, but James Tomkins, Jack Butland, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson are still missing.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Joelinton, Longstaff, Anderson – Almiron, Isak, Fraser.

At the back, Burn and Lascelles put in big displays against the Reds and don't deserve to be 'dropped', but Schar and Botman got a rest in midweek, performed well in our last home game and help get us on the front foot with their ability to play out from the back.

In midfield, we haven't got the luxury of making many changes, with no one signed, Shelvey out and Bruno unlikely to be risked, but Longstaff, Joelinton and Willock all looked knackered in the final stages at Anfield - especially the latter.

He'd have been useful against an athletic Palace side, but I see Willock getting a much-needed rest and Elliot Anderson coming in for his first Premier League start. I could be wrong, but he looks ready to play and hasn't looked out of his depth in each of his cameos so far this season.

In attack, the same front three that caused problems against Liverpool look set to start, as Saint-Maximin seems likely to be protected given his history with hamstring issues.

OUT: Lascelles, Burn, Willock? IN: Schar, Botman, Anderson?

Predicted Palace XI: Guaita - Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell - Schlupp, Doucoure, Eze - Ayew, Edouard, Zaha.

One to watch: - Ebere Eze. Wilfied Zaha is their star man and top scorer, but Eze is a superb player who has been hugely creative for Palace so far this season, pulling the strings and delivering assists in recent away days at Liverpool and Man City. He carries the ball so well, is a brilliant dribbler and has good delivery from set pieces.

Prediction

Wednesday night would've been physically and mentally draining for the players, so it'll take a huge effort here to overcome a Palace side who've been very good on the road so far this season, taking a point at Liverpool before going toe to toe with Man City in a game where they were 0-2 up at one stage.

However, our lads will be looking to bounce back from that midweek and will have 52,000 proud Geordies behind them, giving us every chance if we can replicate the intensity shown in previous home games against Nottingham Forest and Man City.

Isak to double his tally and the Toon to edge out the Eagles in a narrow win on Tyneside!

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace