Selhurst Park news: Bold Crystal Palace prediction emerges ahead of weekend clash | OneFootball

Journalist Tom Barclay is confident that Crystal Palace will pick up just a second Premier League victory of the season against Newcastle this weekend.

Patrick Vieira's side came within seconds of producing one of the standout results of the campaign so far at Arsenal on Monday but suffered injury-time heartache for the second time this term after dropping two points late on against Brighton last month.

But it was an impressive showing at the Emirates, with Palace totally dominant in the second-half, and Barclay believes there's every reason for the Eagles to be optimistic of a victory against the winless Mapgies.

How are Palace faring this season?

It's been a strange start to Vieira's reign at Selhurst Park. They've performed better than their league position, but the table doesn't lie and eight points from as many games is a poor return for the Londoners.

Had it not been for those stoppage-time goals against Brighton and Arsenal, they would be on the cusp of the top-half and only three points behind the Champions League places, but those late setbacks mean that Palace are just two points ahead of 17th-place Leeds instead.

Palace were dealt a tough fixture list having already travelled to Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal, whilst facing West Ham, Tottenham, and Leicester, too, but they quickly need to put points on the board and have more than just good performances to show for their efforts.

But that could change on Saturday, with Palace hosting a Newcastle side that are winless all season and won't have a permanent manager in charge when they travel to Selhurst Park.

With that in mind, Barclay is expecting Palace to bounce back from their late draw at Arsenal by collecting all three points.

What did Barclay say?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "Generally, I think they've been doing well at breaking teams down or they've shown they've got enough creative ability and the Gallagher runs, driving in from midfield.

"I would think, Newcastle at home, I fancy them heavily for a win there and that'll hopefully be the start of some more W's for Vieira, because he needs them."

What's Palace's record against Newcastle?

In terms of recent times, not much has been able to separate the sides when they've met.

In their previous 10 meetings, they have four wins apiece and two draws, whilst all but two of those have been decided by the odd goal.

Perhaps the most memorable meeting in recent times was back in November 2015 when Alan Pardew's Palace thrashed Steve McClaren's Newcastle 5-1 at Selhurst Park, with James McArthur scoring twice.

A repeat of that scoreline is unlikely, but there's every reason to believe that Palace will come out on top once again.

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