Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Posted Saturday, November 28, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace will be targeting a return to winning ways when stragglers Newcastle United visit Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The Eagles made a flying start to the season but have slowly dropped down the league ladder in recent weeks following a string of disappointing results.

Following a surprise 1-0 defeat to Sunderland last time out, Palace sit comfortably in mid-table, seven points shy of the Champions League places.

Newcastle, meanwhile, appeared to have turned the corner before slumping to a 3-0 defeat at home to Leicester City, a result which leaves them teetering on the edge of the dreaded drop zone.

In team news, Palace will be minus the services of hamstring injury victim Bakary Sako.

Striker Maroaune Chamakh is available for selection after recovering from injury, but may have to be content with a place on the bench if Pardew elects to keep faith with Connor Wickham up front.

The Magpies are sweating over the fitness of Cheick Tiote, who is nursing a groin problem that could rule him out of contention this weekend. If Tiote does not pass a late fitness test, he will join Jack Colback on the sidelines.

Yoan Gouffran, Florian Thauvin and Siem de Jong are pushing for starts, along with out-of-favour striker Papiss Cisse.