Jamaal Lascelles does a 'Scott Dann'. The vocal former Forest defender clean tackles Palace striker Connor Wickham just as he was about to let fly in the area.

Papiss Cisse is almost in. The ball is played up to the Newcastle striker on the edge of the area, he turns and is about to shoot before he has the ball nicked away from him by Scott Dann.

What a superb challenge by the Eagles defender.

End to end at the moment.

Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"The full-backs will be key for Newcastle today, Paul Dummett and Vurnon Anita will have to stop crosses coming into the box. Connor Wickham thrives on those crosses."   

Yannick Bolasie is taken out by Chancel Mbemba. The Newcastle defender is shown yellow by Mike Dean - in the sixth minute! The ref is on a mission.

We all know Palace haven't had the greatest 2016 in the league. This is how bad it's been...

Image source, Getty Images

Andros Townsend makes a typical surge down the wing but his cross is mishit and ends up high up in the stand behind Wayne Hennessey's goal.

At the other end Palace win a corner, but it's easily cleared by Newcastle's defence.

Image source, Reuters

We are under way at St James'.

Jonathan Pearce
Match of the Day commentator

Image source, Reuters

"Alan Pardew would hate to be the man to all but send Newcastle United down.

"For all the bitter social media attacks on him in his last months in charge, he still has a big place in his heart for a club that wouldn't be in its current perilous predicament if he had stayed.

"But if he picks up a point on his return, the Toon will be effectively doomed.

"A Geordie win, though, would give Rafa Benitez a great chance of keeping them up. Palace haven't won there since 1998. Focus might be blurred with Wembley on the minds of some.

"It's now or never for Newcastle. Aleksandar Mitrovic is key."

BBC Radio 5 Live

A reminder than you can listen to live commentary from St James' Park with former England winger Steve Stone

Danny Murphy
Ex-Liverpool midfielder on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

"Rafa Benitez knows how to organise a team and Newcastle do look better defensively.

"It can’t change overnight but they have shown lot more fight. It makes you think what position would they be in if he was there earlier?

"It is still tough, I think Newcastle are in lot of trouble. It is a massive game today."

Chris Sutton
Former Norwich striker on Final Score

"I think Newcastle and Norwich will go down. It is a must win for Newcastle today, they have to win two out of the last three. Sunderland have continuity now, they are keeping clean sheets and have a goal scorer in Jermain Defoe."

Image source, Getty Images

It's a sunny day at St James' Park - we are about six minutes from kick-off.

Both Chris Sutton and Danny Murphy have given their thoughts on the relegation scrap...

Will a pep talk from England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones inspire Palace today?

Palace might have booked a 21 May FA Cup final date with Manchester United but they have won once in the last 18 Premier League games and are not mathematically safe.

"We share a couple of professional friends," said Pardew after inviting Jones to training on Thursday.

"One of the reasons I invited him was to give us a little bit of a lift. We had a few words with the team about complacency and what good teams do. If the players can't take on board his comments then we are in trouble."

Image source, Getty Images

"That question is a little bit loaded. I know how I feel and I loved managing that football club. I had some fantastic moments there."

Listen more to Alan Pardew as he prepares to take Crystal Palace back to his old club Newcastle

Don't run along the platforms Satish.

Guess he shook Mike Ashley's hand on the way in.

Jittery? Relaxed? Confused?

Find out how these managers battling against the drop are feeling by watching this vid.

One team's supporters have got more to get off their chests than another's.

Here's where you can vent your anger/frustrations/joy - #bbcfootball, external or text 81111 (UK only text fans)

Newcastle make one change from the starting XI that drew against Liverpool with midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in for forward Ayoze Perez.

Image source, .

Crystal Palace also make only one change from the side that started against Watford in the FA Cup semi-final. Midfielder James McArthur comes in for Wilfried Zaha.

Image source, .