Are the team underperforming?

Conceding 17 goals in seven Premier League matches is not exactly the start Pierre Sage or Crystal Palace’s hierarchy would have hoped for. The transition from Oliver Glasner’s counterattacking 3-4-2-1 formation to the Frenchman’s more aggressive approach has exposed massive weaknesses in defence, culminating with last week’s humiliating defeat at Brighton. Palace fans became used to success under Glasner and they are already looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three. Even their league wins under Sage so far – against Fulham and Nottingham Forest – could have ended in defeat. Something doesn’t seem right in south London. EA

There have been so many arrivals and departures on Tyneside in recent months that it’s too early to say. Any team that sold their three best players – Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães in Newcastle’s case – during the summer would expect a degree of disruption. Eight signings were made, with four aged 20 and under and the others aged 24 and under, and only one (Nico González) had Premier League experience. Throw in a change of manager and an almost entirely new backroom staff and playing style three weeks before the season and teething troubles seem almost inevitable. LT

How much pressure is the manager under?

Sage is sailing extremely close to the wind and was warned after the Brighton game that things must improve quickly or he will be shown the door. It is understood that the Palace chair, Steve Parish, has yet to be convinced by the manager who led Lens to the French Cup last season and has demanded improvements in defence. After the creditable Europa League draw with Besiktas in midweek, Sunday’s meeting with Newcastle is crucial to his future. Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna are likely candidates should Sage get sacked. Ipswich would be due substantial compensation for McKenna despite him leaving Portman Road in the summer, which could be a major hurdle. EA

Very little internally but, externally, the honeymoon is over. Newcastle paid Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli £9.5m compensation for Matthias Jaissle, convinced that the 38-year-old German and his “vertical football” were ideal fits. David Hopkinson, the chief executive, and Ross Wilson, the sporting director, are very impressed by Jaissle’s management style, particularly his collaborative approach. They appreciate that Eddie Howe’s successor is new to the Premier League, did not have a proper pre-season and is coping with a raft of injuries. All parties remain sufficiently realistic to predict a season of “ups and downs” but Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners crave a return to Europe. Many fans believe Jaissle’s football is old-school, rudimentary long ball with a fancy name, and believe his system and team selections have been flawed. They fear he may be a slave to philosophy. LT

How much responsibility does he bear?

Palace have looked a shadow of the side that won three trophies in the space of 12 months under Glasner and Sage must take some of the blame. He fell out with Parish after failing to sign several of his preferred targets in the summer, but it was his decision to break up the Adam Wharton-Daichi Kamada axis in central midfield having brought in Quinten Timber on deadline day. While the Dutchman, who missed the game in Turkey due to injury, has provided extra energy and Kamada has excelled in a more advanced role, Wharton has been struggling defensively. Palace looked much more solid when Wharton and Kamada started together against Besiktas – surely Sage will now stick with the partnership that served Glasner so well. EA

Jaissle’s belief in a gung-ho 4-2-3-1 featuring a classic No 10 is serving him badly at Newcastle, where he does not possess a natural attacking playmaker. It is also leaving González, a holding midfielder, frequently overrun and in need of additional support. With Malick Thiaw and, particularly, Sven Botman struggling in central defence, a switch to a more stable 3-5-2 may be sensible. More importantly, changing the philosophy to a more contain-and-counterattack approach would help camouflage the flaws and make the most of the team’s blistering attacking pace. Jaissle’s high-pressing, attack-minded tactics often appear overly high-risk. His critics fear he may prove to be another Ruben Amorim but Newcastle insiders insist Howe’s successor will prove more flexible than he may seem. Newcastle have not kept a league clean sheet for 13 games, equalling a club record, but six of those came under Howe. LT

How much is beyond his control?

A typically chaotic end to the transfer window left Sage with a bloated squad but insufficient leadership at the back after selling Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea. Axel Disasi’s three-match ban due to a reckless red card against Ipswich, after he arrived on loan from Stamford Bridge along with the promising Italian teenager Honest Ahanor, hasn’t helped. Parish and the sporting director, Matt Hobbs, deserve criticism for not bringing in more experienced replacements, with the latter’s position also thought to be under heavy scrutiny. Sage has also had to deal with unhappy attackers in Ismaïla Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who made no secret of their desire to leave Selhurst Park in the summer. EA

Quite a lot. Given his late arrival, Jaissle had limited influence over Wilson’s eight summer signings. He has, though, apparently swiftly decided that Aladji Bamba (£34m from Monaco) and Bazoumana Touré (£43m from Hoffenheim) are not ready to be thrown into Premier League combat. Similarly, the fleet-footed £51m former Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo looks as if he is going to need time to adjust. Newcastle’s policy of generally recruiting players under 25 dictates the dressing room is a little light on leadership. It is hard to say whether the manager’s high-intensity training bears any responsibility for a lengthy injury list, with Anthony Elanga, Tino Livramento and Jacob Ramsey notable absentees. LT

How important is winning this game?

After seeing positive signs against Besiktas, as Mateta scored on his first start since the opening day, three points on Sunday will be crucial for Sage. Yet while Palace haven’t lost to Newcastle at home since November 2020, Jaissle’s side have had extra time to prepare and will present a difficult challenge. EA

Given that Newcastle are 11th it is far from imperative. And yet … after a demoralising 4-1 defeat at Coventry and a 1-0 home reverse against Aston Villa, victory would offer much-needed reassurance regarding the team’s potential and boost player confidence, not to mention quieten the social-media noise surrounding Jaissle and his tactics. LT

Are there are reasons for optimism?

Palace’s summer net spend of almost £40m in profit was the second lowest in the Premier League behind Aston Villa. They also have American owners who are estimated to be worth a combined £10bn. But Parish revealed last month that he is still looking for extra funding for the new main stand at Selhurst Park, with Woody Johnson, Josh Harris and David Blitzer thought to be open to selling their shares after Palace enlisted Raine Group to seek fresh investment in the club. So there is plenty riding on making sure there is no prospect of being relegated. Sage showed at Lens that he is capable of building a winning team and needs time to do that. EA

Yes, quite a few. Jaissle, understandably, does not want to overplay the 18-year-old central midfielder Sean Steur but the summer signing from Ajax is a joy to watch, has a wonderful passing range and looks capable of reaching the top. Lewis Hall, the England left-back, looks to be going from strength to strength and is capable of elevating standards. Despite an undoubted dogmatic streak, Jaissle appears intelligent – and humble – enough to learn from his mistakes and make necessary adjustments. Club insiders cite his refreshing willingness to listen. Newcastle also possess several extremely quick attacking players – and, as coaches rarely tire of pointing out: “If you’ve got pace, you’ve got a chance.” LT