Crystal Palace face an in-form Leeds United side at Elland Road on Sunday with Pierre Sage’s team still searching for greater defensive stability. Palace have lost three of their opening four league matches, including last Saturday’s late defeat by Ipswich Town.
The Eagles’ problems at the back were highlighted again in that match, with Axel Disasi’s 34th-minute red card adding to their difficulties. Palace have now conceded two or more goals in 10 consecutive Premier League fixtures, leaving them just three matches short of Fulham’s record 13-game run from 2019.
The wider defensive numbers make uncomfortable reading. Palace have conceded the most goals in the league with 11, faced the highest expected-goals figure at 8.15, and are level for the most shots on target conceded with 26. Their opponents have also registered 164 touches inside the Palace penalty area, more than any other team.
The departures of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz across the January and summer transfer windows have been keenly felt, while injuries have added to the challenge. Goalkeeper and captain Dean Henderson is again unavailable for the trip to Leeds. Highly rated defender Jaydee Canvot was also left out against Ipswich, with Sage saying: "I need more from him."
Palace did receive a boost in midweek when their Europa League campaign began with a 4-0 victory over Lech Poznan. The result offered a morale lift for last season’s Conference League winners, but they now return to league action against a Leeds side who have lost only once in their past 13 league matches.
