Leeds vs Crystal Palace – Analysis, Prediction, Team News

As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we preview Crystal Palace’s trip to Leeds. Leeds have lost 1 in 7 in all competitions at home, whereas Palace have 1 point in 6 away games. Home win? Read on with our Leeds vs Crystal Palace prediction.

Leeds vs Crystal Palace Match Preview

Leeds host Crystal Palace at Elland Road in a relegation six-pointer. Javi Gracia’s men earned a vital and well-deserved three points at home to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest last time out, but with Wolves, West Ham and Bournemouth all winning this weekend it’s clear that this wide-scale relegation battle will likely rage until the end of the season. With 7 points in their last 4 Premier League matches, it’s clear that Leeds are one of the in-form sides of this particular group of clubs, and they’ll be looking to build some momentum with another home win.

Generally speaking, Leeds are also one of the better sides at home amongst those struggling at the wrong end of the table. Their sole defeat in their last seven home matches in all competitions was against Manchester United, and they were rather unfortunate to lose that match (although fortunate to gain a positive result at Old Trafford so it effectively balances out). They’ll be hoping to take advantage of a Crystal Palace team who have earned just one solitary point from their last six Premier League away matches.

Crystal Palace finally ended their shocking run of form with a well-deserved 2-1 home victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City. Though they were made to wait until the 94th minute to seal their victory, they bombarded the Leicester goal from start to finish, registering 31 shots on goal or roughly 1 attempt every 3 minutes. Though xG stats don’t always tell the whole story, in this case, it’s safe to say that 2.47 – 0.24 in Palace’s favour was a fair reflection of the game and in the end, the better team got their reward.

With veteran manager and Palace favourite Roy Hodgson back in the dugout and winning his first game, confidence should be flowing at the south London club despite the setbacks they have endured this season. Though their away record is evidently terrible, it’s amazing what a change of manager can do sometimes and they’ll have put that out of their minds in preparation for this encounter. Crystal Palace also managed to win the reverse fixture 2-1 at Selhurst Park back in October.

Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Leeds:

Might Not Play: Adams, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu

Will Not Play: Adams, Dallas, Forshaw, Wober

Crystal Palace:

Might Not Play: Ferguson, Richards

Will Not Play: Guaita, Zaha

Leeds vs Crystal Palace Lineups (Predicted)

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Firpo, Koch, Struijk, Ayling; Roca, McKennie; Harrison, Aaronson, Sinisterra; Bamford

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Johnstone; Mitchell, Guehi, Richards, Clyne; Lokonga, Schlupp; Doucoure; Eze, Olise, Edouard

Leeds vs Crystal Palace Analysis

Leeds Will Take the Game to Palace

When playing at home, one thing that Leeds rarely fail to do is take the game to their opponents. This doesn’t necessarily mean always having the lion’s share of possession and playing in their opponent’s half. It’s more that they consistently look to play positively and prefer to play in a proactive rather than a reactive manner. Sometimes this can cause them problems at the back as they have a tendency to overcommit players as they burst forward to support the attack. Generally speaking though, Leeds aren’t a bad side at home relative to the rest of the Premier League.

While Crystal Palace played well to beat Leicester last weekend, the West Yorkshire side will also be aware of the fact that the Londoners will be without their attacking talisman Wilfried Zaha for this crunch game. While Palace do have capable replacements in terms of attacking with pace and stretching the game, none have Zaha’s ability to produce the unexpected. Theoretically, this gives Leeds a little bit more freedom in what they can get away with in their opponent’s half without compromising themselves at the defensive end too much.

Crystal Palace Appear to be Invigorated

Yes, it’s one match. Yes, they didn’t secure the three points until the 94th minute. However, they dominated Leicester City almost from start to finish and the 2-1 scoreline was flattering to the East Midlands side. Palace attacked with an energy and a purpose that has been missing for much of the season, and although Leeds are a decent side at home they won’t be coming merely to defend and break – although when on form that is one of Palace’s strengths.

Leeds may have beaten Nottingham Forest at home last time out, but they had to come from behind to do it and they do have a tendency to concede sloppy goals. Palace will know that if they can create even half as many chances as they managed to create last weekend against Leicester, then they’ll have an excellent chance of grabbing a vital goal or two. In much the same way that Palace will be missing Zaha, Leeds will be missing part of their engine room with Tyler Adams’ absence. They may have preferred the opportunity to go 4-3-3 here with Adams, McKennie and Roca to match Palace, but as it stands, Hodgson’s men may feel they can outwork Leeds in central midfield.

Our Prediction

This will be a keenly contested encounter between two sides who have responded positively of late to the challenge of a relegation battle, unlike certain other clubs behind them in the league table. Palace have been steadily sliding down the table for much of the season, but we’ll give them credit for an excellent performance against Leicester in which they just managed to get over the line for the three points.

Leeds are unlikely to lose at home to a side like Crystal Palace, even if they have improved in a short space of time. Their home defeats this season have come against Arsenal, Fulham, Manchester City and Manchester United, and of those defeats, they were only outplayed by Manchester City. Therefore, we’re predicting a stalemate that both sides will be reasonably happy with.

Leeds 1-1 Crystal Palace

Leeds vs Crystal Palace Betting Tip – Draw Odds: