The first win of the campaign seems overdue following two promising performances, and no doubt Newcastle players will be feeling confident ahead of the clash with struggling Crystal Palace. Seasoned manager Neil Warnock has been tasked with steering the Eagles away from the relegation zone, but after losing their first two fixtures, Palace cannot be expected to fare much better against improving Magpies.
Finally some great signings at St James’ Park
All the harsh criticism pointed towards Mike Ashley and Alan Pardew last season seemed a bit unfair as Newcastle ultimately achieved a top table finish in spite of the some very poor performances in the business end of the campaign, but it certainly produced results as the Magpies then decided to splash the cash in the summer transfer window. Judging by the first few games, most summer signings look like they will be an instant hit in English Premier League, with Janmaat, Cabella, Colback and De Jong tipped to play a major role this season. Team’s results in the first two matches may not have been impressive, but everybody at the club must have been happy with two strong performances that are enough to suggest Newcastle should seriously improve on last season’s finish. The Capital One Cup clash with Gillingham served as a great opportunity for some fringe players to get much needed playing time, while allowing others to further improve on their match fitness. And with out-of-sorts Crystal Palace arriving at St James’ Park this weekend, I fully expect Newcastle to record a comfortable win.
Jack Colback should start after shaking off a minor knock, but Papiss Cisse, Davide Santon, Ryan Taylor and Cheick Tiote are still out injured.
Costly split with Tony Pulis
Club’s decision to appoint former Stoke boss Tony Pulis midway through last season proved to be a real masterstroke, as the experienced manager completely revived the Eagles and led them to mid-table finish, but Crystal Palace chiefs in turn much too easily allowed the boss to leave ahead of the new campaign and that is likely to cost them the Premiership survival. The first two Premier League matches showed just how much Pulis meant to this team as the Eagles were pretty disappointing in defeats to Arsenal and West Ham. Crystal Palace then enjoyed a 3-0 triumph over League One side Walsall in the Capital One Cup, courtesy of a Dwight Gayle hat-trick, but it is important to note they had been largely outplayed by their less illustrious opponents for large periods of the match. Neil Warnock has since been appointed the new manager, but he will obviously need some time to turn things around, and I just cannot see the Eagles seriously raising their game against Newcastle. The new boss will attempt to keep things tight at the back and shut up shop at St James’ Park, but the visitors will struggle to contain the likes of Riviere, De Jong, Cabella and Gouffran.
Joe Ledley is doubtful with a groin problem, but Scott Dann continues to miss out. Dwight Gayle is expected to start after impressing in midweek.
Verdict
Newcastle have no reason to worry about the somewhat poor start of the season seeing as how their performances are enough to suggest the results will improve in no time. Given that Crystal Palace seem lost without Tony Pulis, the Magpies can be trusted to record the first Premier League win and do it in style as well.
Top pick: Home win 1.75 (3/4) @ Paddy Power
Alternative pick 1: Newcastle/Newcastle 2.75 (7/4) @ Ladbrokes
Alternative pick 2: Newcastle with -1.5 AH 3.00 (2/1) @ bet365