Leeds United have a massive chance to distance themselves from the relegation zone on Saturday night if they can manage to beat Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
After going three games unbeaten against Chelsea, Liverpool and Brentford away, the feel-good factor is back at Elland Road, and no one is doubting Daniel Farke’s position as manager, at least for a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Palace have injury problems. Daichi Kamada will miss the trip to Yorkshire, with the Japan star one of six Palace players absent. Ismaila Sarr has left to represent Senegal at the African Cup of Nations.
Can Daniel Farke get one over on Oliver Glasner this weekend? 🦚🦅
The Leeds boss was full of praise for his opposite number
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Palace were in action at 8pm on Thursday night and while Oliver Glasner will make 11 changes, he was forced to use his starting players to try and beat KuPS, eventually drawing 2-2. West Ham face Man City.
It is a massive game, arguably Farke’s biggest as Leeds manager. Leeds can go six clear of the relegation zone; a huge step towards achieving Farke’s long-term goal, establishing Leeds as a Premier League club.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesChris Sutton predicts Leeds and Crystal Palace to draw
Probably, the likeliest result is a draw. This is a Leeds side, rested compared to Palace’s fatigued squad, but lacking in quality compared to Glasner’s men. Elland Road is a leveller for Leeds ahead of tonight.
In his BBC Sports column this week, former Premier League champion Chris Sutton believes the two sides will play out a 1-1 draw. Sutton made his prediction following Palace’s 2-2 draw against Finnish side KuPS.
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“Farke’s side are always a handful at home and will relish the challenge of getting another good result on Saturday, but I can see this being a very close contest. I am tempted to go with Oliver Glasner’s side.
Leeds win and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores – change my mind 👊
Fifth goal in a row, incoming
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“But they have got a Europa Conference League game to contend with on Thursday, which has stretched them in the past. They are going to miss Ismaila Sarr. On that basis I am going for another draw instead.”
Paul Merson thinks Leeds can have it wrapped up by half-time
While Sutton was unusually conservative in his prediction, Paul Merson was anything but sitting on the fence. The former Arsenal star predicted Leeds to beat Palace 2-0, saying it could be done by half-time.
Merson told Sports Keeda: “Leeds have turned a bend. They are now on a run of three games without a defeat and have scored at least one goal in each of their last six. To stay up, you need to score goals.
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“I believe it’s a direct battle between Leeds and West Ham to avoid relegation. If Leeds play with the same tempo we’ve seen them in recent weeks, they can beat Palace by half-time at Elland Road,” Merson said.
A Leeds win and a Man City win sees Leeds climb into 16th and six ahead of West Ham, at least until Monday night when Nottingham Forest take on Fulham. Leeds should be full of confidence for tonight.
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