Newcastle United travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday aiming to begin salvaging their Premier League season.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is targeting Newcastle United’s sloppy defensive record this weekend.
Just one clean sheet in the last 17 games across all competitions has given the Magpies an uphill task in recent months. With the forwards also misfiring, it is perhaps unsurprising that Newcastle have endured an underwhelming campaign.
A nervy Toon backline capitulated in the second half against bitter rivals Sunderland three weeks ago. Barcelona had exposed Newcastle’s frailties days earlier - putting seven past Eddie Howe’s men.
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Other dire defensive displays include the 3-2 home defeats to Everton and Brentford. To his credit, Palace boss Glasner acknowledged Newcastle’s recent injury record as the two sides prepare for battle on Sunday.
“I think Newcastle have struggled a little bit with injuries, also with the tight schedule,” he told reporters after beating Fiorentina 3-0 in the Conference League. “They played a great Champions League campaign, especially in the group stage, and then first in the knockout stage against Qarabag, and then lost against Barcelona, which can happen.
“I expect them also to be fresher, to be honest. They had more than three weeks with no games. I think a few injured players will come back. They missed their captain, Bruno Guimarães, for a long time, so I think maybe he could be back.
“It's Eddie Howe's team, so they always play with one of the highest intensities in the Premier League, with so much pace. I just saw a list, I think it was from the Champions League. Among the top four was the highest-paced wingers, there were three Newcastle players: Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon, and I think it was Jacob Murphy. This just shows the profiling they have, and we have to be ready for this.”
Oliver Glasner exposes Newcastle United weakness
However, Glasner was not shy about revealing Newcastle’s kryptonite, believing a leaky defence could be the key to Palace securing all three points. He added: “They have had more than three weeks where they could prepare and also reset a little bit.
“But they conceded quite a few goals in the last games before the break, not just in the Barcelona game, but also in the league. They often conceded two or three goals. That's why if we are sharp, if we play our style, I'm pretty convinced that we will create two, three, four chances - and then it's being efficient and scoring from it and controlling their pace.”
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