EPL: Newcastle United v Crystal Palace preview

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace preview

Newcastle United will be hoping to continue their decent run of form at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Newcastle have made a good start to life back in the Premier League, picking up 11 points from their opening eight matches, and St James' Park will be rocking after the recent news regarding owner Mike Ashley.

The sometimes controversial owner has put the club up for sale and there are growing reports Amanda Staveley, who runs investment company PCP Capital Partners, is readying an offer.

The possibility of a big-money takeover will be welcome news to the supporters and also manager Rafael Benitez, who expressed his disappointment at the lack of investment in the summer transfer window.

The Magpies have lost just one of their last six league matches, drawing the previous two against Liverpool and Southampton, and the confidence is high going into the encounter against the bottom club.

Former Eagle Dwight Gayle could miss out on a reunion with his former side after he picked up an injury late against the Saints whilst Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett are both unavailable.

Palace picked up their first win of the season last time out, a 2-1 win over Chelsea, and the visitors will be in buoyant mood as they look to keep the momentum going from that shock victory.

Wilfried Zaha was in good form against the Blues, having just returned from injury, and he is expected to be retained in the starting 11.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is fit again and could return in goal while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is available after being unable to play last week against his parent club.

Manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Christian Benteke is on track to return not long after the next international break, meaning that he and Connor Wickham remain out of contention.