5 bold Premier League predictions: Walcott scores on Arsenal return

5. Newcastle see red as Zaha finally gets protection

Last weekend, Wilfried Zaha was back in the Crystal Palace lineup to help his team to a win over Huddersfield. He scored the game’s only goal and reaffirmed his importance to the fortunes of Roy Hodgson’s side.

However, despite scoring a fantastic goal, Zaha chose to focus on poor defensive challenges against him in his post-match interview. The Ivory Coast international is becoming increasingly frustrated with the challenges players are making on him, and the lack of repercussions.

These decisions are perhaps going against him because of his past history with going down too easily. After his comments last weekend, however, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the referee on a high alert for this match.

Premier League referees almost have an obligation now to make sure any poor challenge against Zaha is at least a yellow. If they don’t, their ability will come into question and Zaha will continue to ask questions.

The only difficulty for Newcastle players is that sometimes the only way to stop Zaha is by bringing him down in an illegal manner. Rafa Benitez will be weary of this and will have warned his side not to make strong challenges on the Palace winger.

Sometimes the intensity of a match takes over though and pre-game plans are forgotten. This will be the case on Saturday, as Newcastle are reduced to ten men after a bad challenge on Wilfried Zaha.