Steve Claridge
Ex-Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

It's a good run from Benteke and he does well to get the finish off. Darlow does well to block the shot.

They've had a couple of very good chances, Palac

Newcastle are a bit square and there's too many gaps in defence.

Kenedy has started this game well.

He doesn't dive in and waits for the perfect opportunity to stick a foot in as Timothy Fosu-Mensah attempts to take him on down the right-hand side.

Image source, Reuters

Jamaal Lascelles gives the ball away in midfield after a really heavy touch and Patrick van Aanholt plays a lovely pass into the path of Christian Benteke.

The Crystal Palace striker does everything right apart from the finish and it's a good save from Karl Darlow.

Image source, Getty Images

Why didn't Kenedy shoot?

The on-loan Brazilian had acres of space at the back post and I don't think he quite realised how much.

The ball is lofted into him and instead of striking it, he tries to chest it down for a teammate before it's hastily cleared away by Palace.

Jonjo Shelvey lifts the ball into Dwight Gayle but his header across goal is just about punched away by Wayne Hennessey.

The goalkeeper didn't look particularly comfortable.

Wilfried Zaha is walking quite tenderly...

Image source, Reuters

Andros Townsend has just tackled Christian Benteke.

Yes, his own teammate. Benteke was shaping up to strike it from the edge of the box but Townsend thinks it's his to take on before he's tackled.

Benteke doesn't look too happy about it either...

What a ball from Luka Milivojevic!

He slips it through the middle to Wilfried Zaha but the striker's first touch takes it away from him.

We're underway at Selhurst Park. It's the visitors who get us going.

Maximo Beerbelli: Newcastle have only won 2 of the last 16 in the league. Not good when other teams are starting to pick up points.

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace's new forward, 22-year-old Alexander Sorloth, is on the bench but will he make an appearance today?

We'll find out soon enough...

Crystal Palace

An 86th minute Mikel Merino goal robbed Roy Hodgson's side of a vital point when the sides met at St James' Park back in October, leaving Palace rock-bottom after nine games.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson: "Things are different from when we last met Newcastle. We were so far divorced from safety at that stage and now we aren't.

"It's foolish to think our problems are at an end, we've just given ourselves a chance.

"To concede that late header last time was a major blow. We lost a point and gave Newcastle all three. (I'm) expecting a tight game."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace: Hennessey; Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, van Aanholt; McArthur, Milivojevic, Cabaye; Zaha, Townsend; Benteke.

Newcastle: Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Diame, Shelvey; Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy; Gayle.

Newcastle United

The Magpies' record after 25 league matches is exactly the same as in 2015/16. Rafael Benitez joined Newcastle's fight to stay up in March that season, but was unable to beat the drop...

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: "Crystal Palace are a good team with very good players. It is a difficult stadium and a difficult place to get points.

"But we must have confidence we can do it. It is very close at the bottom and for us it is another challenge to survive."

Image source, Getty Images

Just two points and one position separates Crystal Palace and Newcastle ahead of today's game.

Palace could leapfrog four teams and move up to 11th place with victory while Newcastle could escape the "24-point group" which sees four teams separated by goal difference in a relegation spot.

In other words, it's all very confusing and both teams could really do with a victory...

ShahMuhaimin1: Thinking if Liverpool win today we will cement our place in the top four and silence the critics. Losing will open up the race hugely.

Andrew Askew: Going for Palace at home and Spurs away wins today. So that’s the kiss of death for both teams.

Conor McNamara
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

Considering Palace didn't even score a goal until their eighth league game of the season, Roy Hodgson has already produced a miraculous recovery since taking charge.

It has long been accepted that football is a religion on Tyneside and Newcastle fans have noticed their squad now contains players called: Islam (Slimani), Christian (Atsu), Mohamed (Diame) and Jesus (Gamez).

Starting this weekend just one point above the relegation zone, Rafa Benitez will take all the divine inspiration he can get. However, Newcastle were denied victory in midweek by a penalty save from a goalkeeper called Pope.

The footballing Gods work in mysterious ways.

Image source, Getty Images

Alan Shearer
Former England captain on BBC One

You don’t play for the big clubs, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, if you don’t have ability. Daniel Sturridge has ability. But it’s not just about ability. You need mental strength as well. He's 28 years of age now. He's only started 115 Premier League games. They’ve taken a gamble, West Brom, by getting him in and paying the wages. But if they get him on to the pitch, he has the ability.

Today's lucky charm?

Image source, Dan Westwell

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on MOTD

Mario Lemina was superb for Southampton. I criticised him at Wembley against Tottenham recently, when he was poor and maybe not fit. He looks fit now. He showed skill and endeavour. He made tackles. I liked the way he was trying to be progressive with the ball. He was powerful. It was the best game I’ve seen him play for Southampton.