Crystal Palace and Leeds United will face off in a key clash, as a win for either side will push these clubs closer to their objectives.
Crystal Palace had a major slump in form recently that threatened to pull them closer to the relegation zone. Two key victories over Wolves and Tottenham have ensured they are now closer to the top half of the table, and Oliver Glasner will target another to help the club push towards a finish inside the top ten.
Last time out, Crystal Palace visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to good effect. After going down a goal against the run of play, an error from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven saw the hosts reduced to ten men, and Ismaila Sarr equalised from the resulting penalty. The Eagles then went on to score twice before the break to put the game beyond the hosts, and put them in a difficult spot with regard to a relegation battle.
Palace then sprung a surprise by failing to beat Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in their Conference League round of 16 clash in midweek. Now there are obvious questions over whether they can perform at the weekend following a European game, as has been their trend this season, as Glasner’s side takes on Leeds United at Selhurst Park.
Daniel Farke will not want his team’s hard work to come to nothing at the end of the season, as Leeds United are on a four-game winless streak that has dragged them closer to the relegation battle again. Back-to-back losses with a 1-0 scoreline against Manchester City and Sunderland, respectively, have ensured the Elland Road outfit does not run away from the danger zone.
Heading into another weekend, Leeds United are only three points above 18th and 19th-placed West Ham and Nottingham Forest, while only a point separates them from Spurs. It is a case of another loss or draw, dragging them closer to the relegation battle if one of the other three wins their respective games.
Hence, Farke will be eager to avoid such an unwanted scenario and ensure his side steers clear of the danger zone. There is an opportunity at hand when his team travels to London to take on FA Cup holders Crystal Palace, as this game will be seen as a must-win of sorts by the German manager.
Team News & Tactics
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner has some key decisions on his hands with regard to squad rotation and making the right selections. Given that the second leg of their clash with AEK Larnaca is now a must-win encounter, it would not be surprising if he makes changes from midweek.
Chadi Riad, Borna Sosa, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, and Yeremy Pino are all in line to make the lineup for Sunday. On the injury front, Daniel Munoz is still touch-and-go following his shoulder injury away to Spurs. Should the key wing-back prove his fitness for this clash against Leeds United, he might be a bench option at best.
Given that Glasner started Brennan Johnson in the right wing-back role in midweek, Nathaniel Clyne might get his chance on Sunday in the wide role. Hughes’s arrival in midfield could see Daichi Kamada rested, but there might be game time for Jorgen Strand Larsen, as Jean-Philippe Mateta is also touch-and-go.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Riad; Clyne, Wharton, Hughes, Sosa; Sarr, Pino; Strand Larsen
Leeds United
Daniel Farke, on the other hand, has a near fully fit squad at his disposal, with Joe Rodon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin likely to return after being rested against Norwich City last weekend in the FA Cup.
Sean Longstaff, who scored against the Canaries, could have earned a midfield spot in place of Ilia Gruev, but there are some doubts over Noah Okafor, who is still not fully recovered from a hamstring problem.
Rodon will start alongside Pascal Struijk and James Justin in that back three for Leeds United, while Brenden Aaronson, Ethan Ampadu and Longstaff will feature in midfield.
Jayden Bogle is the clear choice for the right wing-back berth, while Gabriel Gudmundsson could take his place on the other flank. The returning Calvert-Lewin will lead the line alongside Lukas Nmecha.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Darlow; Rodon, Struijk, Justin; Bogle, Aaronson, Ampadu, Longstaff, Gudmundsson; Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace are undefeated in their last eight home matches against Leeds in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace have three wins from their last five Premier League games. The Eagles have lost their last three Premier League games against promoted sides, starting with a 4-1 defeat at Leeds in December. The last promoted side to do the double over the Eagles was Sheffield United in 2019/20.
- Leeds United are winless in their last four league games (D2 L2), last going longer within a single season when failing to win their final nine matches of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
- Leeds United are winless in their last 11 Premier League away games against London sides (D2 L9). However, they have drawn their last two visits, coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea last time out in the capital.
- Crystal Palace have underperformed their expected goals more than any other side in the Premier League this season (-12.1), netting just 33 goals from an xG of 45.1.
Player to Watch
Yeremy Pino
After a bright start to life since arriving at Crystal Palace from Villarreal in the summer, Yeremy Pino has certainly lost his status as a starter under Oliver Glasner over the last few weeks. However, with games coming thick and fast, the manager may hand the Spaniard a start in the league, as this might be the attacker’s chance to shine.
With Crystal Palace eager to inflict more pressure on an out-of-form Leeds United side, players like Pino could help Glasner in a big way in the attacking third. With the Spanish winger needing to raise his game, this encounter on Sunday could be a great chance for him to get back into his rhythm.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 1-0 Leeds United
Leeds United have looked out of ideas in the final third over the last few weeks, and it has shown in their performances against Manchester City and Sunderland. Once again, they might struggle against a rigid Crystal Palace backline.
The South London outfit will come into this clash with the momentum gained from their win over Tottenham, and Oliver Glasner will want a solid performance as preparation for their midweek European clash. Crystal Palace are not expected to score in a free-flowing manner, as Glasner might see out a pragmatic 1-0 to seal three points on Sunday.
