Newcastle United face serious problems in Crystal Palace duo Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend

Danny Murphy21 October 2017

I don't fancy Newcastle’s defence to keep Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend quiet.

Jamaal Lascelles is a good player in defence for the home side but with Zaha back in the side, Crystal Palace carry a serious threat and I am confident they will get at least a draw.

I’d be amazed if Roy Hodgson changes his starting XI, even though Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was ineligible against his parent club Chelsea last weekend, is available again.

Both Townsend and Yohan Cabaye will be keen to perform well against one of their former clubs, while Zaha deserves great credit for how well he has maintained his fitness during his time out.

In Pictures | Wilfried Zaha

1/12

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez knows the threat Palace carry going forward and will have a plan to stop them.

He may even play on the counter-attack but Palace will have had a great week and have to believe they can win again.