How many people remember back in 2001 Steve Bruce was briefly Crystal Palace’s manager? He resigned swiftly in order to take over at Birmingham but his arrival in the midlands was delayed when the Palace board took out an injunction to temporarily stop the move. Two decades ago Bruce had a reputation for developing itchy feet but now he is determined to stay put at Newcastle and, with his latest side unbeaten at home since the season’s opening day, looks like doing so. Roy Hodgson’s team flew north without a handful of injured personnel but their hosts are sure to miss the influential, but hamstrung, Allan Saint-Maximin. Louise TaylorSaturday 3pmVenue St James’ ParkLast season Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 1Referee Simon HooperThis season G4 Y14 R1 3.75 cards/gameOdds H 6-4 A 2-1 D 11-5NEWCASTLESubs from Elliot, Krafth, Yedlin, Gayle, Muto, S Longstaff, M Longstaff, Atsu, LejeuneDoubtful Shelvey (calf)Injured Lascelles (knee), Ritchie (ankle), Saint-Maximin (hamstring, all Jan), Clark (calf, unknown), Ki, Darlow (unknown)Suspended NoneDiscipline Y25 R2Form WLDWWLLeading scorer Shelvey 5CRYSTAL PALACESubs from Henderson, Hennessey, Camarasa, McCarthy, Dreher, Lokilo, Wickham, MeyerDoubtful Van Aanholt (thigh)Injured Cahill (knee), Dann (calf), Riedewald (hip), Schlupp (groin), Townsend (groin), Ward (knee, all unknown)Suspended Sakho (last of three)Discipline Y30 R1Form LLWWDDLeading scorer Ayew 4

Source: The Guardian December 20, 2019 14:35 UTC