Crystal Palace manager has made two changes to his starting lineup as the Eagles prepare to take on Newcastle United at Selhurst Park this afternoon. Ebere Eze and Jefferson Lerma have both been recalled to the starting XI, replacing Justin Devenny and Cheick Doucouré, who drop to the bench.
Eze’s return is a welcome boost for Palace, with the midfielder having been sidelined with injury for the past month. Lerma, meanwhile, played the final 30 minutes of last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa and will be looking to make a bigger impact against the Magpies.
The only other change to the Palace squad sees Eddie Nketiah return to the bench after a two-game absence with injury. Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line for the Eagles, looking to build on his impressive performance in the reverse fixture last season, when he scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
A victory for Palace today would mark successive league wins over the Magpies for only the second time in the club’s history, and first since a run of three between 1971 and 1972.
“We’re looking forward to the game today,” said Palace boss. “We’ve made a couple of changes to the team, and we’re hoping that will give us a bit more creativity and attacking flair. Newcastle are a tough opponent, but we’re confident that we can get a result.”
The Eagles will be looking to build on their positive performance last weekend, when they came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Villa Park. With Eze and Lerma back in the starting lineup, Palace will be hoping to pick up all three points against Newcastle and move further up the Premier League table.
Crystal Palace starting XI: Henderson (GK), Muñoz, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Sarr, Mateta, Eze.
Subs: Turner (GK), Ward, Clyne, Richards, Kporha, Doucouré, Devenny, Schlupp, Nketiah.
