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Crystal Palace will be aiming to extend their three-game unbeaten run when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Eagles conceded a hugely disappointing last-minute equaliser against Arsenal last time out, condemning Patrick Vieira’s charges to a third consecutive draw.

However, there are plenty of positives to take from their recent displays, and the return of star man Wilfried Zaha following a short illness will be a huge boost to their chances of securing a much-needed victory.

Vieira may be tempted to make a few alterations to his starting XI for the visit of Newcastle given their recent woes, with the Magpies currently 19th in the top flight table.

A run of eight games without a victory to begin 2021/22 cost Steve Bruce his job this week, and Palace will be desperate to take advantage of the situation in which their managerless opponents currently find themselves.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects Vieira to line up at Selhurst Park, with three changes from the side which started against the Gunners…

In goal, the ever-dependable Vicente Guaita is set to start between the sticks once again as he goes in search of his first clean sheet in five games.

Ahead of the Spanish shot-stopper will be an unchanged back four consisting of Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen and Joel Ward after a string of promising displays from the defensive unit at the start of the season.

However, Vieira could opt for a more attack-minded trio in midfield. Jeffrey Schlupp may get a rare opportunity to impress from the off as Palace go in search of three points, relegating Luka Milivojevic to the bench.

Completing the engine room will be the dependable duo of James McArthur and Conor Gallagher due to their impressive recent form in the middle of the pitch.

In attack, the return of Zaha will be a big relief to Vieira, and it’s likely to see the £8.1m-rated Christian Benteke forced to watch from the sidelines despite bagging his first goal of the season on Monday night.

Summer signings Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise are likely to complete the starting XI after their outstanding contributions in front of goal in recent weeks, giving Palace a very threatening forward line.

In other news… Parish must sanction bargain Palace swoop for 6 ft 2 colossus, Vieira needs him 

Wolves winger Adama Traore could want a new challenge away from Molineux in the January transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Tim Spiers.

The Lowdown: Traore linked with Wolves exit

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a curious Wolves career in many ways, proving to be a hugely entertaining player but also flattering to deceive too often.

Despite this, Traore doesn’t seem to be short of potential suitors this month, with a number of clubs linked with making a move for him, as reports on Friday believe Tottenham are the latest team to make an approach.

The 5 foot 10 Spaniard’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, meaning Wolves risk losing him on a free transfer if he doesn’t leave by this summer.

The Latest: Spiers further hints at move

Taking to Twitter to respond to a question on Thursday, Spiers suggested that Traore is eyeing up a move elsewhere currently:

“Easy to forget this is his fourth season at the club as well, might want a new challenge, to maybe test himself in the CL etc, which is pretty normal for any ambitious player.”

The Verdict: Time to part ways?

Traore showed what he is capable of on Monday, making a clear impact from the substitutes’ bench against Manchester United and playing a part in Joao Moutinho’s winning goal, but his inconsistency remains his biggest shortcoming.

The winger is still yet to register a goal or an assist in the Premier League this season and this is why a move away from Wolves could make sense for all parties, despite him being hailed as ‘fantastic’ by pundit Tim Sherwood.

It would allow Traore to test himself at a new club, while Wanderers would earn a hefty sum of money to spend on a strong replacement.

In other news, some Wolves fans are buzzing over an update that has emerged. Read more here.

Everton have been linked with signing Jannik Vestergaard this summer, and now Paul Brown has weighed in on the potential transfer.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star journalist, he wouldn’t be surprised if the Leicester City star did make a move to Goodison Park at the end of the season – as long as they remain a Premier League club next term.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “In that position, I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that might happen. But it’s very difficult to see who they could possibly target right now without knowing where they’re going to be.”

Supporters will be excited

There is no doubt that there are clearly changes needed to be made at Goodison Park, and it will be Frank Lampard’s job to make sure he identifies the key areas of improvement – with their defensive play a huge cause for concern this season.

Everton have found themselves in a vulnerable position in the Premier League, currently fighting against potential relegation to the Championship and it’s no surprise they are in this situation when you consider their defensive record.

Indeed, only the two teams at the bottom of the table, Watford and Norwich, have a worse goal difference than the Toffees, with 53 goals conceded and the joint third-least clean sheets in the entire division.

And, despite only playing 10 games for Leicester in the Premier League so far, Vestergaard has been consistent when on the pitch.

The 29-year-old has won the majority of his ground and aerial duels (62%), been successful in 100% of his dribbles and has made an average of 1.5 tackles, 3.5 clearances and 0.7 interceptions per game, proving he can make an effective defensive impact in his team.

Yerry Mina was linked with a move away from Goodison Park in January with both Newcastle and Flamengo interested, so there is a chance that there will be further interest this summer which would make way for Vestergaard to step into his role next season.

However, Frank Lampard must first focus on securing top-flight football, with the Toffees having seven games to save their season – currently sitting just one point off the drop zone.

Indeed, transfers will be the least of the club’s worries in the immediate future and if Everton were to get relegated their business in the summer could look very different.

AND in other news: Frank can finally axe “out of control” EFC flop by signing “outstanding” £18k-p/w star

Niko Kovac has emerged as a potential candidate for the vacant manager’s role at Everton.

The Telegraph’s Jason Burt says that the 50-year-old’s name is ‘being pushed’ as the Toffees assess their options, and the Croatian is apparently keen to have a crack at the Premier League.

Everton sacked Rafael Benitez in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Norwich City. It is their second managerial search in the space of eight months after Carlo Ancelotti left in June.

An overview of Kovac

Kovac has managed three clubs – Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich and AS Monaco. The Croatian succeeded Jupp Heynckes at Bayern after taking Eintracht from relegation territory to the top half.

However, he was sacked by the Bavarian giants in November 2019, 16 months after taking charge, following a 5-1 defeat at the hands of his former club. He had managed to win a league-and-cup double in his first season at the helm in Munich (via BBC Sport).

Kovac’s next stop, in the summer of 2020, was Monaco, but he was dismissed earlier this month with the team sixth in Ligue 1.

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed Burt’s claim, and here’s what these Everton supporters made of it, with many in favour of seeing Kovac getting the Goodison Park gig.

These Everton fans call for Kovac

“Get it done lads”

Credit: @ericowens27

“This is more like it…. So probably won’t happen”

Credit: @thatphillad

“I’ve decided Kovac is my #1 choice”

Credit: @efc18789

“I can get behind this”

Credit: @AmateurGus

“Him or Favre & I’ll be happy”

Credit: @MattyHughes10

“Get him”

Credit: @kmcgrath28

In other news, many Everton fans reacted with disbelief to this club announcement

Writing on social media, reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has explained why Tottenham Hotspur didn’t sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

The Lowdown: Spurs reach ‘agreement’…

As per reports, it appeared at one stage that the Lilywhites were all but certain to sign the Morocco international.

Indeed, claims from Italy suggested that Spurs had reached an ‘agreement’ to sign Amrabat with manager Antonio Conte personally ‘waiting’ for his arrival in north London (Corriere Fiorentino via Sport Witness).

Romano also stated that the player himself was ‘waiting for Tottenham’ and ‘wanted’ to join (YouTube via The Boot Room), with the reporter now explaining why the transfer didn’t materialise.

The Latest: Romano explains ‘collapsed’ 11th hour move…

Taking to Twitter, he claimed a potential move to Spurs ‘collapsed’ in the 11th hour.

“Sofyan Amrabat will not be allowed to leave Fiorentina in the last hours of the window,” he stated on deadline day.

“Erick Pulgar leaves to join Galatasaray, done deal – so Fiorentina need Amrabat to stay.

“Tottenham potential move has collapsed.”

The Verdict: Big miss?

The 27-cap midfield dynamo, called a ‘bargain’ player by ex-Palermo sporting director Rino Foschi, won’t exactly be a big miss for Spurs despite that plaudit.

Tottenham instead landed a 2018 World Cup gem in Rodrigo Bentancur and one who can add real steal to Conte’s midfield, as evident by his impressive average of 2.8 tackles per 90 in the Champions League this season (WhoScored).

That’s the joint most of any Juve player and it’s safe to say that his signing will boost Spurs in their hunt for a top four place.

In other news: Tottenham held deadline day talks in last gasp Paratici swoop for 176-goal attacker, find out more here.

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On Wednesday, journalist Phil Hay reported on Leeds’ new club badge which will be introduced in the 2019/20 season to celebrate their centenary, with the new design set to be worn on next term’s home and away shirts but reverted back to normal the year after.

The adjustments are minimal, as is probably preferable in order to avoid fan outrage. The famous shield remains but the letters ‘LUFC’ have been replaced by ‘Leeds United’ and ‘100 years’, written on golden banners above and below the crest respectively.

The Whites will be hoping that the new crest will be accompanied by a Premier League badge on the sleeve, as they enter an exciting final period of the campaign – automatic promotion is within touching distance for the Yorkshire outfit but they must be careful not to drop any more points from here.

Who do you want to see promoted this year? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked their 3 favoured teams in the video below…

West Brom announced themselves in the title race on Tuesday night with a last-gasp win at QPR and Leeds will be hoping they can leave the Baggies in the dust on Saturday by taking all three points from their clash with Bolton.

Journalist Phil Hay Tweeted his coverage of Leeds’ new badge on Wednesday, including an image of it. Here’s what the Elland Road faithful had to say about it on Twitter, with many supporters far from impressed…

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘ready’ to offer Lorenzo Insigne huge money in order to sign for them.

The Lowdown: Winger wanted?

With the likes of Luis Diaz and Philippe Coutinho being linked with a move to St. James’ Park in recent days, it suggests that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium are now looking for a winger in order to bolster their forward line following their takeover in the northeast.

However, there may be a doubt over what kind of calibre of player they would be able to attract in the January transfer window, giving that they are currently lurking near the bottom of the Premier League table, with no wins and a mere five points from their first 11 games so far this season (Premier League).

The Latest: Insigne eyed by Newcastle

As per Rai Radio (via Sport Witness), Newcastle will now attempt to throw a huge amount of money – or as the outlet put it, ‘ready to shower him with gold’ – in order to try and sign Insigne as a free agent next summer.

He is out of contract at Napoli at the end of the season, but given that he has played at the highest level throughout his career, including in the Champions League and Serie A, he may want to move to a club other than the Magpies.

However, if the Tynesiders manage to avoid relegation, the Italian could be tempted by a move to the Premier League, with an ambitious project to get the Toon up to the very top.

The Verdict: Huge scalp

It would certainly be a huge scalp to lure the Napoli captain away from his club to go and join the Magpies, so it may take a big bumper contract in order to persuade him.

Regardless of what he is paid, there is no doubt that Insigne is a quality player, having played more than 400 times for the Serie A club, including 79 matches under former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez, in which he scored 11 goals and supplied 17 assists (Transfermarkt).

The current Everton coach sang the praises of the Italy international back in 2015 when he was the forward’s boss at Napoli, and Insigne’s consistent presence in Italy’s Euro 2020-winning team shows that he can still perform on the big stage.

A Napoli great, he is inspired by club legend Diego Maradona, of whose face he has a big tattoo on his leg; and if he can channel his inner Diego, he would no doubt be a force to be reckoned with at NUFC.

In other news, find out which potential signing Magpies fans would be ‘excited’ by

Antonio Conte is reportedly very keen on signing Adama Traore for Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Off the boil

There is no doubt that Traore has gone off the boil this season after his six goal and 12 assist haul in the 2019/20 term, with no goals or assists so far this campaign (Transfermarkt).

He can still be a right menace on his day, as Jurgen Klopp even went as far as to claim that he is ‘undefendable’ after an impressive display against Liverpool at Molineux back in March, and he still averages the most dribbles per game (4.7) out of any player in the Premier League.

Nonetheless, Traore is a unique asset despite his lack of numbers in terms of end product, and so it is no surprise at all to see Spurs interested in his signature.

The Latest: Conte keen

As per The Daily Telegraph, Conte is very keen on a move for Traore, and is a long-term admirer of the Wolves machine.

They cite that the North London club tried to get him on loan in the summer transfer window when Nuno Espirito Santo was still in charge, and now Conte wants Daniel Levy to table an offer that would make the Wanderers think about selling him.

Football.London journalist Alasdair Gold has also claimed that Fabio Paratici is ‘a fan’ of Traore, and so it is a move that certainly looks possible.

The Verdict: Makes sense

Given that Traore is used to playing in a preferred formation should be natural to him.

He is a player that Conte likes, and so the Italian manager will surely already have plans to get the best out of him and suit his style of play, perhaps in the right-wing back role that Victor Moses thrived in at Chelsea.

Nonetheless, with his superior dribbling ability, Traore would offer the Lilywhites something different and more direct going forward, and at 25 years of age, still has a lot of room for improvement.

Of course, he needs to work on being more ruthless in front of goal, but it is no less exciting to see what Conte could do with him on and off the field.

In other news, find out which THFC player Conte is particularly in awe of here!

According to The Daily Mirror, West Ham United have shortlisted a brand new defensive target as news emerges on Manchester United starlet Di’Shon Bernard. 

The lowdown: Career so far

A product of the youth academy at Chelsea, Bernard moved to Manchester in 2017 to link up with the Old Trafford Under-18’s side.

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Since then the London-born central defender has progressed through the ranks in the North West and made a senior debut for the club in the Europa League in November 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 21-year-old spent the entire 2020/21 campaign on loan at Salford City in League Two and could be set for another move in the upcoming transfer window…

The latest: Moyes is interested

As per the report from the Mirror, the Hammers and by association, manager David Moyes, are ‘plotting a move’ to sign the 6 foot 2 defender.

It’s claimed that the Scot is a ‘big admirer’ of Bernard who is currently on loan at Championship outfit Hull City.

Furthermore, the report states that the east Londoners are confident in their ability to get a deal done due to offering a ‘quicker pathway’ to first-team football for the colossus youngster who was described as ‘quick’ and ‘aggressive’ by Grant McCann.

The verdict: Next generation

Albeit still unproven in the Premier League, Bernard has enjoyed a positive season at Hull City, averaging 6.91 match rating over 2021/2022 whilst making 1.3 interceptions, 3.2 clearances per game and helping to keep eight clean sheets in the league (Sofascore), the talented defender appears to be ready for the next step in a promising career.

As both Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna reach the twilight of their superb individual careers, Moyes will rightfully be thinking about the succession plan.

GSB have already acted to succeed one half of the partnership with the capture of Kurt Zouma and having never truly shown total faith in Issa Diop, it’s no surprise that the Irons’ boss may look elsewhere for reinforcements and Bernard could be the chosen one to bolster the London Stadium ranks.

In other news: Find out who the three worst West Ham players were against Burnley. 

Adama Traore’s long-term future is unlikely to belong at Wolves after a lack of playing time recently, according to journalist Luke Hatfield.

The Lowdown: Traore loses place

Bruno Lage’s side are in a good place at the moment, sixth in the Premier League after winning 1-0 at home to high-flying West Ham on Saturday.

However, Traore isn’t a key part of Wolves’ plans at the moment, having fallen out of favour in recent weeks. The winger hasn’t started a game this month, with the likes of Francisco Trincao and Daniel Podence preferred to him out wide, and he featured for just 14 minutes against the Hammers.

The Latest: Hatfield makes Traore exit prediction

Recent reports have linked Traore with a move away from Molineux, and speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Hatfield said that he expects the Spain winger to move on

The journalist claimed: “If I was a betting man, I would probably say that his future lies away from Molineux.”

The Verdict: Time to move on?

The £27m-rated Traore is an exciting player renowned for his pace and power – indeed, Jurgen Klopp once called him “unplayable” – but it appears as though Lage doesn’t rate him as highly.

If that is the case, it is pointless keeping hold of him, especially as Wolves could earn a healthy fee for his signature, with his current deal not expiring until 2023.

Allowing Traore to leave would suit all parties, giving Lage additional transfer funds on players he wants around and giving the Spaniard an opportunity for regular football elsewhere.

It could be argued that it is no coincidence that Wolves’ form has improved without Traore in the team, with the winger failing to contribute to a goal in 13 appearances this term despite his aforementioned traits.

In other news, Wolves have been tipped to sign one player. Find out who it is here.