Newcastle Toons
Fansided

The pressure is on Newcastle United to perform against Crystal Palace

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez (l) reacts on the sidelines during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on September 15, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez (l) reacts on the sidelines during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on September 15, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After losing to Arsenal over the weekend, Newcastle United must try to earn a positive result against Crystal Palace.

Newcastle United continue to fall in the table standings, currently 19th, after losing 2-1 to Arsenal at St. James’ Park on Saturday. The Magpies were considered slight underdogs who were capable of claiming three points against the Gunners, but a shift in momentum and lack of energy in the second half led to another loss.

Rafa Benitez is pleading with supporters to maintain optimism that is quickly fading after starting the season with one draw and four defeats. Newcastle had the most difficult schedule to start the season, but that will change over the next few weeks.

The last giant that Newcastle have to face in three weeks is Manchester United at Old Trafford. Until then, the Magpies will travel to London to face Crystal Palace and will host Leicester City. With that being said, Newcastle must perform to the best of their abilities against Crystal Palace to start turning things around.

Newcastle’s Chances against Crystal Palace

Benitez and his players are aware of their current slump and they are desperate for a few positive results to regain confidence and generate enthusiasm among supporters. At present, most people on Tyneside are worried that their Magpies cannot climb out of this relegation hole they are in.

However, Newcastle have shown that they can compete with elite opponents and this is reflected in their one-goal losses to Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal. Regardless of the margin of losses, at the end of the day Newcastle lost to all four teams and they must find a way to defeat Crystal Palace.

Roy Hodgon’s Eagles are off to a decent start with six points and a performance record of two victories and three losses. Crystal Palace have been far from stellar this season, but they are playing like a decent mid-table side.

Both sides have been struggling in the scoring department with four goals each from five matches, and both clubs have shown signs of defensive inconsistency with negative goal differentials early in the season.

Crystal Palace’s only victories of the season came against Fulham and Huddersfield Town, both on the road, and they lost at home to Liverpool and Southampton. Aside from Liverpool, Newcastle could be the second best team that Crystal Palace face and the Magpies are capable of winning this match on the road. If Newcastle can solidify their play in the back, and if the midfield can move the ball forward through the middle, then the Magpies could steal a victory in London.