Ayoze Perez wastes a golden chance for Newcastle.

James Tomkins has the ball pinched from him by the Spaniard who bursts through but fires a tame shot into the hands of Wayne Hennessey.

A bit more thought might have seen a better end product.

Corner to Newcastle now.

A good passage of play from Newcastle ends with Matt Ritchie putting a little too much on a pass to DeAndre Yedlin who was looking to play a square ball into the box.

It pleased the travelling support.

Zaha seems to be running freely. He surges down the left but falls to the ground under the challenge of Matt Ritchie.

Ref Andre Marriner waves play on.

He might hit the deck a few times this afternoon - something he is well used to.

A Palace defender gets his foot in the way of a Matt Ritchie through-ball which was set to find Salomon Rondon in the box.

At the other end, James McArthur heads over from six yards from a stunning Andros Townsend cross from the right.

He should have scored.

A great start to the match.

We are under way at a very wet Selhurst.

Steve Wilson
Match of the Day commentator

Having risked derision by concentrating on damage limitation in consecutive matches against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, will Rafa Benitez take off the handbrake and unleash the hounds against Palace? It's not very likely.

Rafa is an arch-pragmatist; he understands the limitations of his armoury and will no doubt focus on stopping Wilfried Zaha first, and worry about the rest later.

Zaha's contention that he is under-protected by referees created some debate last week. As Palace's most likely match-winner - almost their only match-winner - he can hardly expect to go unmolested by defenders. But does he dive? Like most players with blistering pace, you may think that he has been prone to exaggeration on occasion.

Whatever the truth, the spotlight will be on him - and referee Andre Marriner - on Saturday.

Despite leaving the warm-up early with what appeared to be a upper back problem, the Palace winger emerges from the tunnel.

Will he last the distance?

Stephen Warnock
Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Newcastle have been very negative in the games I have seen and I seriously worry for them this season.

Rafa isn’t under pressure because he hasn’t been backed. Look at what Wolves and Fulham have spent in comparison. He makes teams better tactically.

Ref Andre Marriner has just shown a Palace mascot a yellow card.

He's got a taste for it already.

Not spotted yet.

• Crystal Palace have won one and lost 10 of their last 15 matches in all competitions against Newcastle.
• However, Newcastle are without a win in three league games at Selhurst Park (D2, L1).
• The Magpies have only failed to score in one of the 14 Premier League meetings.

How the Magpies could do with these two - even at their age.

#nooffence

Image source, Reuters

The Palace winger walks back down the tunnel clutching his shoulder blades - trapped nerve?

He's certainly not 100%.

So, during the warm-up the wing wizard came off for treatment on what looked to be either his back or shoulder.

He's back on the pitch though - so good news for Palace fans and bad news for the Magpies.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson names the same XI that started in last week's 1-0 win at Huddersfield. Jordan Ayew continues to deputise for the injured Christian Benteke in attack.

Image source, .

Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey makes his first start since returning from a thigh injury - he last played on 18 August. The former Swansea man replaces Isaac Hayden. Skipper Jamaal Lascelles has shaken off an ankle injury to take his place in the backline.

Kenedy comes in for midfielder Jacob Murphy and Salomon Rondon replaces Joselu in attack.

Image source, .

Right, so here's the current team news coming up, but we do have some news on Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha.

Image source, Rex Features

A few weeks ago I had a little chat with our chief football writer Phil McNulty about the Premier League predictions he made before the season started.

He had Newcastle down to finish in 18th - IOW relegation. I responded by telling him that won't happen because - despite the negativity around the lack of spending - it was still a better squad than the club had the previous campaign, and of course the latest messiah Rafa was still there.

Alas, it could be that Phil's prediction might come true - we've seen glimpses of a good side but it remains one point from five (admittedly from some tough fixtures).

The Spaniard turned it around last season, but might it prove too difficult for him to repeat the trick?

Palace have had a so-so start to the season with six points from their five. Wilfried Zaha makes them tick and, barring rough treatment, he'll cause the visitors a heap of problems today.

Live text of this Selhurst stonker coming up.