David Ljunggren: Crystal Palace look as though they were into the sherry and the mince pies before kick-off. They are very sluggish.

Good opening there for Palace. James McArthur plays it wide to Patrick van Aanholt, who delivers a left-wing cross for Christian Benteke but the Belgian striker can't get a decent connection and glances a header well wide. He's still to score this season - and has only one goal since the start of last term.

Jonjo Shelvey is tackled about 20 yards out and the loose ball falls to Newcastle's fit-again defender Florian Lejeune, who tries a speculative long-range strike. He's going to have to do better than that to beat Vicente Guaita though.

Migeul Almiron goes on a darting run for Newcastle before Jonjo Shelvey sprays it wide. Newcastle must be delighted to have them back. They make the Magpies tick.

Only bottom club Watford (nine) have scored less goals than Newcastle (17) and Palace (15) this season. The Magpies have looked the most dangerous so far.

Newcastle find Joelinton inside the Palace box and he holds it up before playing it back for Paul Dummett but the Magpies can't fashion another chance.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

There's been one brilliant chance so far for Isaac Hayden - but his legs just gave way from under him - I think he panicked.

But since the first minute or so, Palace have barely been out of their own half. I'd expect them to get better as the game goes on.

And sure enough, Paul Dummett gets up the left again and plays it inside for Miguel Almiron, whose curling effort from inside the box is easy for keeper Vincente Guaita. The Paraguayan midfielder is still waiting for his first Newcastle goal, with this his 26th Premier League start.

Newcastle didn't even manage a shot on target at Burnley last week. With two up front - and playing at home - surely they don't do the same today.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the two up top Newcastle have gone for has really surprised Palace - their defenders don't know who to mark at the moment.

A big well done to Steve Bruce for surprising Roy Hodgson.

Many were expecting Joelinton to be playing out on the left but Newcastle manager Steve Bruce clearly wants to test Palace's makeshift centre-half Cheikhou Kouyate.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm expecting to see a lot of balls launched into the Palace box for Andy Carroll and Joelinton to attack.

Migeul Almiron plays a through ball to Isaac Hayden but the Newcastle midfielder slips inside the Palace box and goes wide of keeper Vincente Guaita. He tries to keep the chance alive by lofting it into the six-yard box but there are two Palace defenders there to clear the danger.

Jonjo Shelvey plays a sweet diagonal ball as Newcastle mount their first attack. Paul Dummett gets down the left but his cut-back is met by a tame effort by Joelinton.

Palace are bossing possession so far as they look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.

They're under way at St James' Park.

Jonas Olsson
Former West Brom defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I worked with Roy Hodgson for two years at West Brom. He is by far the best manager I worked with during my career.

He just keeps it simple – he organises the team well, talks to you and tells you what to do. You trust him.

He has experience from coaching in England and abroad. I really enjoyed working with him.

The game against Newcastle will be interesting – both teams are better off when they sit back and don’t take the initiative. Newcastle struggle at St James’ when they’d be expected to take control of the game.

Dutch left-back Patrick van Aanholt is back for the Eagles after a hamstring injury forced him off early against Bournemouth, when Palace went on to win 1-0 despite a red card for Mamadou Sakho.

They still have a few other injury problems though so Cheikhou Kouyate is set to play as an emergency centre-half.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I look at Newcastle's squad and you'd expect it to be around the relegation zone for most of the season.

Steve Bruce has done a really good job to get them into mid-table - he's got more points than Rafa Benitez did at the same stage last season - which is a phenomenal effort.

Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almiron are also back for Newcastle after missing last week's defeat at Burnley. The pair played a big part as the Magpies claimed seven points from their previous three games.