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Preview: Newcastle United will look to claim the double over Palace

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Roy Hodgson, Manager of Crystal Palace talks to Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on December 21, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Roy Hodgson, Manager of Crystal Palace talks to Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on December 21, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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After a blowout loss to Arsenal, Newcastle United will try to get on track when they face Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Following a week off earlier this month, Newcastle United returned to action last week and were hammered by Arsenal, 4-0. Next up, Steve Bruce’s Magpies travel to Selhurst Park tomorrow to face Crystal Palace. We preview the Premier League contest.

Where the Clubs Stand

Newcastle United: 13th position, 31 points, -16 goal differential

Crystal Palace: 14th position, 30 points, -9 goal differential

Opposing Players to Watch

Wilfried Zaha: When it comes to Crystal Palace in recent years, it always starts with the electrifying winger. He brings the action out wide with his pace and aggressiveness. This season, he’s registered three goals and three assists.

James McArthur: The veteran Scottish midfielder leads the club in tackles and interceptions while sitting second-best in assists and passes.

Jordan Ayew: After playing for the Eagles on loan last season, Ayew is leading the club in goals this season with six EPL tallies this season following his permanent move over the summer. He’s added one assist and has 35 shots.

Analysis

Newcastle United will look to get the bad taste out of their mouths from the Arsenal defeat last weekend. Steve Bruce has done well to lead his side to quality results after big losses this season and they will have a good chance to rebound tomorrow.

To do so, they will need to break down a quality Palace defense. The Eagles have four clean sheets at Selhurst Park, but the last one came in early December and they have not won any of their last three matches.

The Magpies were able to defeat Palace earlier this season by a narrow margin. In that match, Newcastle United were outplayed for most of the action before Miguel Almiron scored the winner. In tomorrow’s fixture, we will likely see Bruce’s side bunker down defensively as usual and hope to strike on the break, potentially with Dwight Gayle up top.

Next. An unhealthy obsession with the "ones that got away". dark

Predictions

Durim Halimi: 1-1, D

Carson A. Merk: 1-0, W