Newcastle United supporters in the Transfer Tavern have been reasonably cheerful this week given their side’s decent run of form, but there was some frustration among those punters after seeing the Magpies twice throw away the lead to draw 2-2 at Southampton on Sunday.
Rafa Benitez’s men went into their clash at St Mary’s having won three of their opening seven Premier League games, and they looked on course to add another to that tally as goals from Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez twice gave them the lead on the South Coast. However, a brace from Saints striker Manolo Gabbiadini, the second from the penalty spot after Florian Lejeune needlessly bundled over Shane Long, secured a 2-2 draw for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, a result which keeps Newcastle firmly lodged inside the Premier League’s top ten.
And although there was some frustration from a few of those Magpies fans lining up at the bar, many lauded a fine performance from Benitez’s men on Sunday, and they will be hoping for something similar against Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace at St James’ Park on Saturday.
The Eagles registered their first Premier League victory of the season last time out with a 2-1 success over champions Chelsea, and as such will be supremely confident heading into their trip to the North East on Saturday.
Nonetheless, Benitez’s Newcastle will be favourites to get the three points and thus record a fourth league victory of the campaign, and here are THREE reasons why they will get the job done and beat Palace this weekend…
Strong at home
Regardless of how well Newcastle are playing or where they are in the league, St James’ Park is always a difficult place to go and win.
Liverpool found that out a few weeks ago when they could only muster a 1-1 draw against Benitez’s side, but to be fair Newcastle were good value for that and didn’t give the Reds too many opportunities in front of goal.
In fact, Tottenham are the only side to have won their so far this season, and since then they have beaten West Ham and Stoke City, two sides in the bottom half of the division, as are Palace.
Thus, their strong home form, which has seen them lose just one of their last nine league games, stands them in good stead for victory over Hodgson’s men on Saturday.
One defeat in six
It’s not just their home form which has been impressive so far, Newcastle overall have made a fine start to the season, which is even more remarkable given they lost their opening two Premier League games.
Since then though, the Magpies have lost just one of their six league matches, a 1-0 reverse at Brighton, and although they haven’t won either of their last two against Liverpool and Southampton, they produced good performances in both matches, and could quite easily have picked up six points as opposed to just two.
Nonetheless, Benitez’s side are playing some really good stuff at present, and will hope to continue that when Palace visit the North East on Saturday.
Buzz around the club
Things are going well on the field for Newcastle, but there are also promising developments off it in terms of a possible takeover of the club.
Mike Ashley announced earlier this week that the club was up for sale, and reports throughout the week suggest that Amanda Staveley is edging closer to a mega money takeover of the club.
Thus, combined with their fine start to the season, there is a huge buzz around St James’ Park at present, with several Magpies supporters eagerly anticipating the possibility of life under a new owner, and one that may well take the club forward.
And what better way to prove their credentials than another three points on Saturday.
