Crystal Palace are in somewhat of a rut at the moment, and the spirits are essentially non-existent after the 5-0 defeat to rivals Brighton on Sunday. 

There are clear issues with form, the tactical profile is yet to set in and the players are struggling to make it work. 

But just how bad has it been, and if Palace are to continue as they’ve started, where are they likely to end up in the Premier League come the end of the season?

Defensive form is cause for concern

Firstly, the rate that Palace are conceding goals is a travesty. As things stand, Palace are conceding 2.4 goals per game, having shipped a whopping seventeen in their opening seven matches, which is the worst record in the entire division. 

If they were to keep this up across the season, Palace would end the year having conceded a whopping 91.2 goals. That would be the most since Sheffield United conceded 104 goals in the 2023/24 season. 

Of course, there have been goals at the other end, and so far Pierre Sage’s side have netted nine times in the opening seven games, an average of 1.3 per game. This expands to 49.4 goals across a full season, and would leave Palace with a negative goal difference of 41.8.

That’s the same as Wolves who finished rock bottom last year, and is in line with three relegated sides in the year before. Essentially, if Palace continue to defend in the way they are, there’s a high chance they’ll find themselves playing Championship football next season. 

How do Palace compare between this season and last?

When looking at the statistics between this season and last, there are some intriguing comparisons that can be drawn. 

Palace are conceding more goals per game this season, 1.1 more per game, and they’re having to do more defending too. Tackles, clearances and interceptions are all up on last year's numbers, demonstrating that the system under Sage is far less defensively sound than it was under Oliver Glasner. 

Last season, Palace made 24 errors leading to shots, an average of 0.6 per game. This season, Palace are averaging 0.7. In terms of errors leading to goals, Palace made just seven last season, averaging 0.18 per game. At the rate Palace are going this season, they’ll end the year with 16 errors leading to goals. 

The running statistics are also intriguing to look into. This season, Palace are running more, but sprinting less, suggesting there are some underlying issues with the system. 

In an attacking sense, Palace’s numbers actually look slightly stronger this season. They’re averaging more big chances per game and more goals per game, but missing more big chances too. 

If anything, these numbers would suggest that Palace’s start to the season has been a chaotic one, with very little balance, which matches up to what we’ve seen so far, especially in the Premier League. 

Time to change the system?

The clear message coming from the club is that whilst Pierre Sage will be awarded time to turn things around, there is significant pressure on him going into the next week or so. 

Palace face Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday, before hosting Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Sunday. 

Both games have now become must win, with drastic improvement needed from both the manager and his players. 

The players have looked lost at times, and whilst the defensive performances have been as they have, serious adjustments are needed. There needs to be more consideration for the personnel Sage selects depending on the fixture. 

At Brighton, starting two young central defenders was a mistake. Both were completely overwhelmed by the occasion, and made huge errors throughout the game. Jefferson Lerma was sat on the bench, and whilst he may not be the best central defender in the league, he brings quality and experience which would have helped to calm things down. 

Some fans have suggested that a change in formation could make the difference. Whilst that may be true, and adding an extra body in midfield could certainly help to sure things up, managers are often unlikely to completely throw away their style of play after ten games. 

If Palace’s form continues in the trend that it’s followed this season, they will end the Premier League season with 38 points. Based on previous seasons, this would see them survive by the skin of their teeth. 

Of course, it’s unlikely that things don’t improve, but the pressure is on, and another pair of bad results could leave the club with no option but to dismiss Sage.