Leeds Predicted Lineup vs Crystal Palace

After taking five points from their last three games, Leeds welcome in-form Crystal Palace to Elland Road, where they will be hoping to extend the gap between themselves and the relegation places. The Whites enter the congested Christmas period three points above 18th-placed West Ham, and are currently on target to retain their Premier League status going into next season.

Leeds United Predicted Lineup for Key Home Fixture vs Crystal Palace

How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently

Lucas Perri may have firmly established himself as Daniel Farke’s first-choice keeper, but the Brazilian’s record has not been overly impressive so far this campaign. With just two clean sheets and 22 goals conceded in 11 appearances, the summer signing is definitely still finding his feet at Elland Road.

In front of him, Leeds have settled on a back three of Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon, with the tactical switch to a 3-5-2 system bearing fruit for United so far. Against Brentford, however, Farke showed his tactical versatility, swapping Bijol for winger Willy Gnonto, who went on to set up the winning goal with an outstanding cross.

At wing back, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle have both excelled this season, and are enjoying the attacking responsibility offered by the new setup. In midfield, Ao Tanaka was brought in against Brentford in place of Ilia Gruev, with the Japanese international offering a more creative option alongside the tireless Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach.

Up front, Noah Okafor partnered Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the second game running, with Lukas Nmecha still recovering from a thigh issue. Calvert-Lewin was excellent again, scoring his fourth goal in four games with a trademark towering header.

Only Manchester City’s Phil Foden boasts an equal scoring streak across Europe’s top five leagues, and a goal against Palace would make the England striker the first Leeds player to score in five consecutive games since Mark Viduka in 2003.

Leeds Recent Form and Tactics

A win and two draws in their last three games has helped to stabilise the atmosphere at Elland Road, with Farke’s decision to switch to a back three effectively saving his job. Now, having taken points from Liverpool and Chelsea, his side will need to turn this momentum into more positive results against Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

However, one area in which United have plenty of room for improvement is in defence, with only West Ham, Burnley and Wolves conceding more goals than their 30. Perhaps more worryingly, their Expected Goals Against (xGA) is just 22.34, meaning that they have let in almost eight more goals than they should have based on statistics.

In comparison, Aston Villa have an xGA of 22.13, but have let in just 17 goals this season and find themselves in the race for the title.

Leeds Absences to Consider

In his pre-match press conference, Farke said he has the “same group of players available” as last week’s fixture against Brentford. This means Daniel James, Sean Longstaff and Nmecha will all be out of action for the Palace game.

Nmecha is the closest to making a return to the side, with the other two still weeks away from being in contention.