Why is Leeds United vs Crystal Palace on so late? Kick-off time explained with TV and stream details
All the key information ahead of Leeds United's Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace at Elland Road this weekend.
Leeds United will hope to send fans into Christmas with plenty of cheer when they host Crystal Palace this weekend. Daniel Farke’s side are three unbeaten in the Premier League, having followed up a convincing 3-1 win over Chelsea with comeback draws against Liverpool and Brentford.
Any result over the Eagles would guarantee Leeds spent Christmas Day outside the relegation zone but that will be no easy task, with Oliver Glasner’s side fighting for a Champions League place. And as preparations on either side continue, the YEP has all the key information you need to know surrounding the match.
When is Leeds United vs Crystal Palace?
Leeds welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Saturday, December 20, in what is their final game before Christmas. That fixture is one of eight in the Premier League to take place on the Saturday, with a busy afternoon on the cards up and down the country.
The action will get underway later than most other Saturday-afternoon games, however, with kick-off at 8pm. Arsenal’s trip to Everton has also been pencilled in for the somewhat unusual time, making for two tricky away trips for the respective fanbases.
Why is Leeds United vs Crystal Palace a Saturday 8pm kick-off?
Leeds were initially due to host Palace on Sunday, December 21 at 2pm, with Glasner’s side hosting Finnish outfit KuPS in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening. But despite the already tight turnaround, Selhurst Park chiefs requested the Premier League bring their trip to Elland Road forward.
The reason for this is fixture congestion, an issue which has caused major problems for Palace all season. Saturday’s trip to Leeds will be their fourth game in 10 days but having progressed to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup, they then have to face Arsenal on Tuesday night next week.
That meant Palace simply had no choice but to have a 48 hour turnaround at some point, either between KuPS and Leeds or between Leeds and Arsenal. They evidently chose the former, with the Premier League moving their weekend game forward and that of their cup opponents Arsenal.
“This comes after the scheduling of matches from other competitions around Premier League fixtures without adequate player recovery time,” a Premier League statement said of the change. “This is also further evidence of the impact the expanded UEFA competitions have on the domestic fixture calendar. The League would like to thank Leeds United and Everton for their co-operation in accommodating these changes.”
Is Leeds United vs Crystal Palace on TV?
It is indeed. As mentioned in the above Premier League statement Sky Sports will still show the Elland Road meeting, which was initially due to be part of their Super Sunday 2pm offering.
Leeds vs Palace will be shown on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Build-up starts immediately after the 5.30pm fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Can I stream Leeds United vs Crystal Palace?
Sky Sports will have the game available to stream live on their website and app. Non-UK viewers can also watch the game via LUTV.
And for those unable to watch the game live, the YEP will of course have all your build-up plus live coverage from Elland Road. After the full-time whistle, be sure to stick around for player ratings and reaction from Farke and the players.