Crystal Palace v Leeds United - tactical preview as Roy Hodgson's deep-lying defence awaits Marcelo Bielsa's attackers

It might surprise you to learn that there are a number of similarities between Leeds United and Crystal Palace this season. They are on the same points total after seven games with Leeds one place above Palace in the table on goal difference.

But their underlying numbers are remarkably similar too. Both teams have conceded similar numbers of shots per game and each shot is of a similar chance quality (measured using the expected goals metric).

Even the total value of the chances they have conceded have been comparable.

Stylistically, though, they are very different sides: Leeds, as we know, possession-heavy, looking to transition quickly and directly; Palace more conservative and defensively-minded with a view to catching teams on the break.

Here are three aspects of Hodgson’s system to look out for tomorrow:

Which formation?

Last season, Palace largely lined up in a 4-1-4-1, a similar structure to the one Leeds play under Bielsa when they play a back four. This season, though, because of Luca Milivojevic’s drop in form, Roy Hodgson has been much more likely to use the 4-4-2 which was seen more frequently at the end of last season.

There is a level of flexibility here: Andros Townsend can be pushed forward alongside the two strikers to form a front three, as Jeffrey Schlupp pulls inside from his left wing position to play as a central midfielder. Marcelo Bielsa will have looked at each structure and found the optimal counter-structure but keep an eye out to see which one appears at Selhurst Park.

Deep-lying defence

As Leeds fans will know, teams who sit deep and look to soak up pressure before counter-attacking are Marcelo Bielsa’s Kryptonite.It will worry them to learn, then, that Palace are the team with the deepest line of defensive engagement in the Premier League, according to StatsBomb.

They also have the lowest possession percentage of the league, only holding the ball for 35.4 per cent of their matches.

If you were looking forward to an expansive game of transitional football, forget it! Bed yourselves in for a long slog where Leeds look to break down Palace’s low block defensive structure.

In the last few weeks, we’ve seen Leeds’ attack labour against Wolves and Leicester City. That struggle is set to continue for one more game before the international break.

Stopping Wilfried Zaha

Teams that employ a low block counter attack strategy often have a player that they use as an outlet. For Crystal Palace, that outlet is Wilfried Zaha.

So far this season, Zaha has already picked up five goals and an assist, and is in the league’s top 20 for StatsBomb’s ‘shot creating actions’ metric with 20.

This season, Leeds’ centre-backs have dealt relatively well with dangerous attacking players like Zaha. They kept Jack Grealish quiet against Villa and, although Jamie Vardy assisted and scored in the Leicester game, the Leeds defence only actually allowed him to run past them on one occasion.

This will be another occasion where the ‘partial libero’ system – the spare man at the back – will have to be on top form. If not, Zaha could run amok.