CRYSTAL PALACE PREVIEW: NEWCASTLE (H)

Crystal Palace host a struggling Newcastle United at Selhurst Park as they look to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time this season...

Palace manager Roy Hodgson has denied any reports that the club have contacted the Professional Game Match Officials, over the treatment of forward Wilfried Zaha...

Palace host a struggling Newcastle on Saturday afternoon (3pm), and the former-England boss has been forced to oppose these claims, after Zaha spoke furiously in regards a foul from Huddersfield’s Mathias Jorgensen, last weekend.

“I feel like I’d have to get my leg broken, for anyone to get a red card," the Ivory Coast international stated, following the Eagles’ 1-0 win over the Terriers.

Hodgson responded to the rumours today, saying: "I think that was quite simply that after every game that clubs are asked to comment and asked to send a report after every game. There has been no specific contact."

The Palace boss also spoke regarding the importance of home form, despite two losses at Selhurst Park thus far, saying: “We were very unlucky against Liverpool, and didn’t get the result we wanted against Southampton”.

“We have won two very difficult away games, now we have to make sure we get three more points tomorrow."

TEAM NEWS:

Hodgson confirmed the vast bulk of his squad is fit and healthy for their test with the Magpies, other than striker Christian Benteke, who remains sidelined with a knee injury.

“We are still without Christian, he is still nursing the knee injury and having treatment for it," the Palace manager stated.

The Belgian international picked up the knock in his country’s most recent international break, earlier this month.

STATS:

• Palace have lost their only two home league fixtures this season, but won all three prior, whilst tomorrow’s visitors, the Magpies, are winless in five away.

• Newcastle have won just one of their last five trips to Selhurst Park, drawing three and losing the other 5-1 in 2015.

ODDS:

Crystal Palace are 11/10 favourites to dispatch the Magpies at home, their visitors 13/5, whilst a draw sits at 9/4.