Prediction: Crystal Palace win
Best Odds: 39/20
Bookmaker: 888sport
You know it’s getting to the business end of the calendar year when we start seeing midweek fixtures in the Premier League. The next few weeks are set to feature a whole lot of carnage in England’s top flight as we commence the always-hectic winter schedule. It’ll get underway in the next few days with one of the clashes being an intriguing bottom half meeting between Leeds United and Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
Leeds
The Marcelo Bielsa effect helped Leeds United finally gain promotion back to the Premier League. Then, in their first season back in the big time, they finished ninth after an incredibly entertaining campaign – and that’s where the good news stops for the boys in white. They seem to have been found out in a big way in the last few months and the dreaded second season syndrome is starting to look like an unbelievably realistic possibility.
Team News
Firpo is expected to be dropped after a really poor showing against Brighton. Koch and Bamford are both confirmed absentees through injury with the only other major fitness concern right now being Luke Ayling.
Crystal Palace
Nobody was 100% sure what to expect when Patrick Vieira came through the door at Selhurst Park but so far, it’s been a pretty positive start. The Frenchman has attempted to build a first team in his own vision and that’s a breath of fresh air for many Eagles supporters who were fed up with the status quo under Roy Hodgson. Now, they need to start thinking bigger, especially with January right around the corner.
Team News
Andersen isn’t likely to be available for the trip to the capital as he undergoes tests relating to a recent groin injury. Ayew or Edouard should come into the mix in place of Olise with McArthur and Ferugson both being on the shelf through injury.
Factors to Consider
- Leeds are 17th in the Premier League whereas Palace are 11th.
- Leeds have won one, drawn three and lost two of their last six games.
- Palace have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
- Leeds have scored five goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
- Palace have scored 11 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
Conclusion
Crystal Palace have a pretty direct style when they want to and that should link up well with the relentless pace that Leeds put on teams – when they fancy themselves to score, that is. This is going to be a really back and forth affair for the early stages but we expect to see Palace completely take over, eventually leading them down the path of a 2-1 win that’ll look a lot closer on paper than it actually was.
Prediction: Crystal Palace win
Best Odds: 39/20
Bookmaker: 888sport
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