Newcastle host Crystal Palace on Saturday as the 2017-18 Premier League season enters its 9th round of fixtures.
The Eagles shocked the world last weekend by handing a 2-1 defeat to defending champions Chelsea, scoring their first goals and securing their first points of the campaign in the process.
Even though the side’s manager Roy Hodgson won’t admit it, Wilfried Zaha clearly orchestrated the result, and he must be neutralized if Newcastle are to have a chance of winning at St. James’ Park.
The forward is expected to play on his favorite position on the left, from where he loves to drive into the opposition box and aim at goal.
Magpies box Rafa Benitez has deployed DeAndre Yedlin and Javier Manquillo at right-back this term, with the 2 playing 4 games apiece in the position thus far, the American playing therein in the last 4 matches.
The fullback duo has been brilliant thus far, but who should get the nod in the position against Zaha?
Against Chelsea, Zaha, unsurprisingly, completed 6 of the dribbles he attempted, created 2 chances, and registered his 2 attempted shots on target while one ended up at the back of the net.
The performance was vintage Zaha; fast, precise, skilful and dangerous in front of goal.
Manquillo seems the best option capable of standing up to the bag of tricks Ivory Coast international.
He doesn’t jump into tackles, has good positioning and doesn’t commit fouls often.
Yedlin on the other hand, for all his brilliance will probably get frustrated and overwhelmed by Zaha’s super abilities from the first whistle, and could end up being the weak link in defence the visitors will look to exploit at every opportunity.
