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, as Oliver Glasner will target another to help the club push towards a finish inside the top ten.
The last time out, 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, as 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 last-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.
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 Muñoz 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’ arrival in midfield could see Daichi Kamada rested, but there might be game time for Jørgen 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
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
After a bright start to life since arriving at Palace from Villarreal in the summer, Pino has certainly lost his status as a starter under 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 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 Spaniard needing to raise his game, this encounter on Sunday could be a great chance for him to get back into his rhythm.
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 Palace backline.
Palace will come into this clash with the momentum gained from their win over Tottenham, as Glasner will want a solid performance as preparation for their midweek European clash. 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.
