Newcastle desperately need their first win over the season after a miserable start.
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson believes Newcastle United will turn around a difficult start to the season and has suggested his team’s style is similar to opposite number Rafael Benitez.
Both managers are extremely experienced in the Premier League and managed to help their respective clubs steer away from relegation trouble last season.
Newcastle travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday for a Premier League clash and have just one point from their opening five league games so far this campaign.
Hodgson is convinced there is no need for their to be panic at St James’ Park over a poor start, but will be keen for his Palace side to inflict further damage on them at the weekend.
He also seemed to suggest a similarity between the way he sets up his teams compared to Benitez, with both known for being defensively resilient and astute managers.
“I am sure they are not overly concerned about it [their form] and that they will pick up points as they go on. I certainly respect him (Benitez) and I would like to think my teams are similar,” Hodgson said, as quoted by Football London.
Palace will be favourites at home to earn three more league points on Saturday, but have drawn one and lost two of their last three meetings against Newcastle.
The Seagulls did thump the Magpies 5-1 back in 2015 at home, but that was before Benitez’s tenure in the North East.
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