SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Crystal Palace welcome Newcastle to Selhurst Park this evening, where Roy Hodgson’s men will be looking to bounce back from Monday’s disappointing defeat to Burnley.
In the Magpies’ case, they too should be full of motivation having lost their last two games.
Let’s see which eleven players we think Hodgson will deploy against Steve Bruce’s men…
Vicente Guaita in goal, Gary Cahill and Tyrick Mitchell return
We think that the ex-England boss should opt for the same backline that started against Burnley, with the exception of Cheikhou Kouyate and Patrick van Aanholt.
As we detailed earlier this week, Mitchell simply didn’t deserve to lose his spot, and should come back in now he’s fully fit.
In Kouyate’s case, he was at fault for Chris Wood’s goal on Monday, and while he’s been largely excellent this season, perhaps he could do with a rest.
Midfield three, James McArthur dropped
Another man who could do with a rest is James McArthur. The 33-year-old has started seven Premier League games this season, and looked quite sluggish against Burnley.
In that respect, we think Hodgson should freshen up his midfield by deploying Jairo Riedewald, Jeffrey Schlupp – who earns £56,000-a-week – and Ebere Eze together in a midfield three full of energy and drive.
No Wilfried Zaha
As you may have heard, Wilfried Zaha is still self isolating after testing positive for Coronavirus.
As a result, we believe Hodgson will start with Jordan Ayew, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend once again, all of whom started at Turf Moor.
Predicted lineup: Guaita; Clyne, Cahill, Dann, Mitchell; Riedewald, Eze, Schlupp; Ayew, Batshuayi; Townsend
