Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park on Sunday with their defensive weaknesses firmly in focus when Newcastle United visit south London. The Eagles conceded five times in last weekend's defeat at Brighton, a result manager Pierre Sage later described as shaming before apologising to supporters.
Palace have now allowed 17 goals across their opening seven Premier League matches, the highest total in the division and their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign. They have conceded at least twice in 11 of their past 13 league games, while no team has faced more shots than Palace's 125 this season. Their opponents have also registered a league-high 43 efforts on target against them.
The underlying numbers underline the scale of the challenge, with Palace recording the highest expected goals against figure in the Premier League at 14.8 during the current campaign. Sage handed 18-year-old centre-back Honest Ahanor only his second league start at Brighton, but the defender was replaced after 53 minutes. Axel Disasi came into the side for Thursday's Europa League match at Besiktas, where Palace improved overall but still conceded twice and were held by a Newcastle side playing with 10 men.
There could be a boost in goal, with first-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson potentially available for the first time since the 3-2 win at Fulham on 5 September after returning to training on Monday. Palace will need a broader improvement, however, if they are to build on their 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle arrive with problems of their own. The Magpies have conceded four goals in each of their last two away matches, losing at Leeds United and Coventry City, and have lost three of their past four league fixtures. They also struggled to threaten in last weekend's 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa, managing 16 attempts but only one on target.
Palace may take encouragement from Newcastle's record at Selhurst Park: the visitors have won just one of their last 11 league matches at the ground, with six draws and four defeats. That victory came in a 2-0 success under Steve Bruce six years ago.
