PREM: Crystal Palace v Newcastle Utd preview

Crystal Palace v Newcastle Utd preview

Crystal Palace will be looking to register their first points at Selhurst Park this season when Newcastle visit on Saturday.

Palace, who have also yet to score at home, have suffered back-to-back home defeats against Liverpool and Southampton but they are six points better off than at same stage last season when they had no points or goals from first five games.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have recorded their joint-worst start to a Premier League season, taking just one point from their opening five games, although they have played Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City.

This fixture is Rafael Benitez's 100th league game as Newcastle manager and his opposite number Roy Hodgson is well aware of the threat Newcastle pose despite their poor run of results.

"I think they know what they are good at and know how to win games, because they finished 10th last season," he said.

"They have had difficult games and I am pretty certain that they realise they are not in an ideal situation, but that they believe they are good enough to get away from the relegation zone. I would not be prepared to talk about relegation or the top half until March. I spent three or four months last year talking about relegation, if not more. But the bottom line is where you finish up in May."

Crystal Palace will be without Christian Benteke as he continues his recovery from his knee injury.

Scott Dann, Connor Wickham and Pape Souare are also still unavailable.

Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Salomon Rondon are all fit for selection. Lascelles was substituted last weekend with an ankle problem but has made a recovery.

Florian Lejeune remains a long-term absentee with knee ligament trouble.