IF YOU were at Chelsea last weekend, you would have witnessed a Crystal Palace side forcing the home side back on their own turf.
So far back, indeed, that the visitors created more chances and deserved to come away with at least a point against a side with a formidable home record under Jose Mourinho.
The performance was impressive, and if the Eagles can keep that up then they will surely be a Premier League club again next season. Home form has been identified as an important factor by boss Tony Pulis, and tomorrow's game with Newcastle United presents a chance to try and claim three points – and climb out of the relegation zone.
However, Newcastle are a team in form and have been quietly moving up the table in recent weeks.
They will certainly give Palace a good game and their away record so far this season, which reads four wins and four defeats, with nine goals scored and 14 conceded, suggests that it will be an open game.
The match also sees the return of Magpies boss Alan Pardew to Selhurst Park, having played for the Eagles between 1987 and 1991 and he famously scored the winning goal in extra-time against Liverpool in the 1990 FA Cup semi-final.
Pulis may decide to stick with the same starting XI yet again, and why not? It has proven to be a successful formation in the last four games.
Marouane Chamakh and Cameron Jerome are expected to lead the line in a two-man attack, although the former may undergo a late fitness test on his back after the Moroccan said he has been suffering with a bit of pain lately.
Yannick Bolasie will be pushing for a start, but Pulis' biggest headache could be over the middle of the park, with concerns over both Kagisho Dikgacoi and Stuart O'Keefe.
Dikgacoi came off due to a calf complaint last Saturday, while his replacement O'Keefe is also looking to shake off a knock, with Pulis admitting it could be a race to be fit for kick-off on Saturday.
He said: "We have one or two injury concerns with KG and Stuart O'Keefe and we won't know until kick-off on Saturday whether or not they will be fit.
"With Guedioura out injured it does make the squad look a bit short and a bit light, but we will have to deal with that."
At the back, Pulis has to decide on whether Dean Moxey should return to the side after a hamstring problem sustained against Cardiff City two weeks ago.
Of course, Joel Ward has performed well at left-back, but his natural position is on the right side of defence.
Looking at the history between the clubs, it is similar reading to Palace's record at Chelsea – it is not great against Newcastle.
Overall, Palace have won just eight times in 32 meetings in all competitions and the last victory against them at Selhurst Park came in January 1984 in the old Division Two, thanks to a 3-1 victory.
However, there have only been four meetings since in SE25.
Newcastle, arguably, are vulnerable at the back, but they are impressive going forward.
In Loic Remy, they have a deadly striker who has proven his worth so far this season after arriving on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
He will certainly give the Palace back four a game, but in the middle of the park Newcastle are dogged with the likes of Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, with the latter returning from suspension.
And Shola Ameobi, who seems to have been around forever, is still a popular figure on Tyneside and is capable of finding the back of the net.
Add to that the likes of Yoan Gouffran and Hatem Ben Arfa and it is clear that Newcastle have goals in them, with 21 goals from their 16 league matches so far.
After Newcastle, Palace head north for two games in 48 hours to face Aston Villa on Boxing Day and then Manchester City on December 28.
We all know how strong City are at home, with Manuel Pellegrini's side plundering 22 goals in their last four games at the Etihad Stadium and 35 in total this season.
But Palace can certainly fancy their chances of walking away with at least a point from Villa Park – especially if they perform like they did at Chelsea.
And three points against Newcastle would certainly give them that extra confidence to do so.
If Palace can take four points from their next three games, that would be a decent return for their efforts.
