Leeds United’s next home game comes just before Christmas, as they take on Crystal Palace after this week’s trip to Brentford.

United’s form has taken a huge turn for the better in the past three games. Daniel Farke has gone from being on the brink of losing his job, to restoring faith through his intelligent decisions.

The next two games before Christmas represent different tests. Brentford away sees Leeds pit against a direct rival for survival, before meeting a likely energy-sapped Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

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Crystal Palace see star wing-back Daniel Munoz ruled out with surgery ahead of Leeds United trip

A core part of Palace’s success has been their right-wing-back revelation, Daniel Munoz. Signed from Genk in January 2024, the 29-year-old has rapidly become one of the best in his position in the Premier League.

However, after missing the weekend’s win at Fulham with a knee problem, Oliver Glasner has confirmed that the Colombian is to undergo surgery to fix the issue, via GiveMeSport.

Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz is ruled out against Leeds United next week. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra)

Not only is Munoz ruled out, but star winger Ismaila Sarr won’t feature. Currently nursing an injury, if he recovers, he’ll be due to feature at AFCON for Senegal when their squad is announced. The same can be said of summer signing Christantus Uche, with the previous Leeds target expected to be named in Nigeria’s squad.

As for Jean-Philippe Mateta, he’s struggled through knee problems for a month, and won’t play on Thursday in their Conference League game away at Shelbourne.

Oliver Glasner promises 11 Crystal Palace changes between KuPS and Leeds United games

The European and Premier League fixture list is already hectic enough for Palace ahead of their game against us. But, not only that, they have an EFL Cup tie at Arsenal on Tuesday 23rd after travelling up to Leeds on Saturday 20th.

Oliver Glasner is juggling massive fitness problems at Crystal Palace. (REUTERS/Ian Walton)

Playing thrice in six days is a nightmare for Glanser. And, he hopes to secure his side’s Conference League progress this week, in order to make wholesale changes against KuPS – the side they face 48 hours before Leeds.

“Right now, when I see our schedule, it’s just important to get qualified,” Glasner told GMS. “If we have to play the knockout qualification round at the end of February, I don’t worry about it because it’s so far away.

“It would be a little bit easier to rest 10 or 12 players for the KuPS game next week. I won’t start anybody on Thursday evening and then on Saturday evening because I feel responsible for the players’ welfare. This would make it a little bit easier with a win.”

Leeds United could have huge opportunity to capitalise on depleted Crystal Palace

Palace’s injury problems couldn’t be coming at a better time for Leeds. They look down to the bare bones of what is already a very thin squad.

The fact they’ve got injuries to star players on top of the brutal schedule is great news for us. There’s a real opportunity to pounce on their struggles.

You’d imagine the late notice means the away end might be looking short of numbers too. So, all signs point towards it being a potential banana skin for Leeds to play our part in.

If Glasner does win on Thursday against Shelbourne, that does leave him capable of making lots of changes against KuPS. If he needs a result against the Finnish side two days before we face them, that’s even better.

Read more: Marcelo Bielsa confirmed for sensational UK return this week.