Leeds United v Crystal Palace - Kalvin Phillips v Eberechi Eze, Eagles dangerman and Elland Road prediction

Key battle - Kalvin Phillips v Eberechi Eze

One of the keys to coping with Leeds United’s intense press is ball carrying, the ability to beat a man and find the space in behind markers.

Eberechi Eze is a wonderful ball carrier who can go past players and roam into dangerous areas to create chances or score goals.

Kalvin Phillips has gone on record about the difficulty in marking Eze and along with his fellow midfielders will need to shut him down quickly. A quiet Eze would make for a much easier night.

Key man (or lack of) - Wilfried Zaha

The lightning quick forward, a counter attacking specialist who caused Leeds all sorts of problems when the teams met earlier in the season, is the player you want for a game at Elland Road.

The problem for Palace is that he won’t play. Zaha is out with a hamstring injury in welcome news for the Whites and a bitter blow for Roy Hodgson, who must now look to the likes of Andros Townsend for pace to threaten Leeds on the break.

Graham Smyth's pre-match verdict

The first meeting of the two teams was a chastening experience for the Whites, who were aggrieved by a VAR decision and then punished by clinical finishing. Raphinha’s knack for threading a pass will be vital, as will his pace and movement.

The quicker Leeds can play the better, to try and move an organised back line around and find gaps. The first goal is hugely important and if they get it, I see a Leeds win.