Crystal Palace welcome Ipswich Town on Saturday aiming to secure consecutive Premier League victories for the first time this calendar year. Pierre Sage claimed his first top-flight win as head coach last weekend, with Palace edging Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage.
The Eagles also progressed in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday by overcoming Middlesbrough. Both victories came despite the opposition enjoying significantly more possession, a pattern Sage acknowledged while praising the quality of Fulham and Middlesbrough after the matches.
Palace’s defensive record remains a concern, however. They have conceded two or more goals in nine consecutive league fixtures, an unwanted club record. Their defenders still made the decisive difference against Fulham, with Tyrick Mitchell scoring twice before his second-half replacement, Ben Chilwell, struck the winning goal.
Mitchell’s attacking contribution has increased following Daniel Munoz’s move to Nottingham Forest alongside former Palace manager Oliver Glasner. The wing-back has recorded 10 touches in the opposition penalty area this season, a joint-high figure among Premier League defenders.
Ipswich arrive after defeats by Manchester United and Liverpool following their opening-weekend victory over Sunderland. Gary O’Neil’s side have conceded 57 goals across a 22-match top-flight run without a clean sheet, giving Palace an opportunity to test a defence the Town manager has admitted needs to eliminate costly mistakes.
