Leeds vs Crystal Palace Preview
Leeds are a team on the up and have an excellent recent home record. Crystal Palace have struggled for consistency under Pierre Sage and are unlikely to trouble the Whites at Elland Road.
Key Stats - Leeds Strong at Home
- Leeds have won 7 of their last 9 home games.
- Leeds have won 7 of their last 8 home matches against Crystal Palace.
- Crystal Palace have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League games.
H2H - Whites on Top
Leeds have a 32-20 advantage against Crystal Palace, alongside 18 draws.
Leeds up to Third After Positive EPL Start
Daniel Farke’s Leeds are in good long-term Premier League form and have lost once in their previous eight. The Yorkshire side are unbeaten in nine consecutive matches at Elland Road, including four league victories.
Leeds beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 away in their first game of the 2026/27 season. Back-to-back 1-1 draws with Brentford and Brighton followed and the Whites had 3.95 total XG in those matches.
The Whites extended their Premier League unbeaten run to four consecutive matches following a 4-1 home victory over Newcastle. Leeds had 1.99-0.88 XG and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor got on the scoresheet.
Crystal Palace Punished for Ongoing Defensive Issues
Crystal Palace have made an unconvincing start to the new Premier League season. The Eagles have lost three of their four matches and conceded a league-high 11 goals.
Palace lost 2-0 at Everton and 4-1 at Man City before a 3-2 victory at Fulham. Pierre Sage’s side allowed over 2 XG in two of those fixtures.
The south Londoners also gave up a 1-0 lead and lost 3-2 at home against newly promoted Ipswich. Palace had -1 XG and faced six shots on target.
Sage’s team responded by thrashing Lech Poznan 4-0 in the Europa League. Yeremy Pino, Chris Richards, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah scored and Palace allowed 1.55 XG.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Leeds (4-2-3-1): James Trafford; James Justin, Nico Elvedi, Tarik Muharemovic; Jayden Bogle, Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor
Forward Mateo Joseph and defender Joe Rodon are injured and unavailable for the Palace match.
Illa Gruev could return to the squad after featuring for Leeds U21 on Monday. The midfielder was positive about his injury recovery and said:
“I really love to play football and to be able now to be back on the pitch after this injury it is the best thing for a footballer, to be healthy and to feel good.”
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Walter Benitez; Chris Richards, Jaydee Canvot, Honest Ahanor; Anan Khalaili, Quinten Timber, Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell; Daichi Kamada, Yeremy Pino; Jorgen Strand Larsen
Centre-back Axel Disasi was sent off against Ipswich and is suspended here. Defender Chadi Riad, striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and goalkeeper Dean Henderson are unavailable due to injury.
Attacking duo Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr returned from injury against Poznan. Pierre Sage recently spoke about Sarr’s return following a failed summer transfer and said:
"I think the situation is behind him now. He looks normal and we will see on the pitch during the competitive games.”