Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park on Sunday looking to respond to last weekend's 5-0 defeat at Brighton, a result that prompted manager Pierre Sage to apologise to supporters and say he felt ashamed of the performance.
The loss underlined a troubling defensive pattern for the Eagles. Palace have conceded 17 goals in their opening seven Premier League matches, the highest total in the division and their worst tally at this stage of a campaign. They have also allowed at least two goals in 11 of their past 13 league games.
Opponents have created more pressure against Palace than any other top-flight side this season, with the Eagles facing 125 shots and 43 efforts on target. Their expected goals against figure of 14.8 is also the league's highest, highlighting the quality of chances being conceded.
Sage handed 18-year-old centre-back Honest Ahanor his second Premier League start at Brighton, but replaced him after 53 minutes. Axel Disasi came into the side for Thursday's Europa League match at Besiktas, where Palace produced a much-improved display but still conceded twice and could not find a winning goal against 10 men.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson may be available for the first time since the 3-2 victory at Fulham on 5 September after returning to training on Monday. Palace will need a collective improvement at the back if they are to build on their 3-1 home win over Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle arrive with defensive concerns of their own after conceding four goals in each of their past two away matches, against Leeds United and Coventry City. The Magpies have also lost three of their last four league fixtures, including a 1-0 home defeat by Aston Villa, but Palace will be wary of a side that has historically made this a difficult fixture. Newcastle have won only once in their past 11 league visits to Selhurst Park, drawing six and losing four.
