Crystal Palace's defensive vulnerability will be under scrutiny when Newcastle United visit Selhurst Park on Sunday, with the Eagles having conceded more goals than any other Premier League side so far this season.
Palace's 5-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend took their total to 17 goals conceded after seven matches, their highest figure at this stage of a Premier League campaign. They have allowed at least two goals in 11 of their past 13 league games, while no team in the division has faced more shots than their 125 or more shots on target than their 43.
The quality of the chances being created against Pierre Sage's side is also reflected in their league-leading expected goals against figure of 14.8. Sage later said he felt ashamed by the Brighton performance and apologised to supporters, leaving the manager with a major defensive issue to solve.
The coach handed 18-year-old centre-back Honest Ahanor his second Premier League start at the Amex, but replaced him after 53 minutes. Axel Disasi came into the team for Thursday's Europa League match at Besiktas, where Palace improved overall but still conceded twice and were unable to beat 10-man opponents. First-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson may return after resuming training on Monday, having last played in the 3-2 win at Fulham on 5 September.
Palace will hope their 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest provides a platform for another positive result, but Newcastle arrive with defensive concerns of their own. The visitors have conceded four times in each of their last two away matches, against Leeds United and Coventry City, while a defeat by Aston Villa last weekend made it three losses in their past four league games.
Newcastle's record at Selhurst Park could offer Palace encouragement. The Magpies have won only once in their last 11 league visits to the ground, drawing six and losing four. Their most recent victory there came in a 2-0 success under Steve Bruce six years ago.
