Leeds United v Crystal Palace: YEP Jury give their big-match predictions

Our panel of fans have not forgotten Leeds United’s undeserved 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in November and are eager for revenge when the two sides meet up tonight. Here are their thoughts and predictions:
Patrick Bamford scores against Crystal Palace in November only to have the 'goal' ruled out for offside by VAR. Picture: Glyn Kirk/Getty Images.Patrick Bamford scores against Crystal Palace in November only to have the 'goal' ruled out for offside by VAR. Picture: Glyn Kirk/Getty Images.
Patrick Bamford scores against Crystal Palace in November only to have the 'goal' ruled out for offside by VAR. Picture: Glyn Kirk/Getty Images.

DAVID WATKINS

Well, we couldn’t win against Everton on a pitch grown in London so we now have to hope that Palace don’t feel at home on it either!

We ought to be able to relax a little now, still 14 points clear of the bottom three and with surely enough quality to pick up the three more wins that should see us safely in the Premier League next season.

Crystal Palace's danger man Eberechi Eze. Picture: Naomi Baker/PA Wire.Crystal Palace's danger man Eberechi Eze. Picture: Naomi Baker/PA Wire.
Crystal Palace's danger man Eberechi Eze. Picture: Naomi Baker/PA Wire.
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At first glance there isn’t much between the Peacocks and the Eagles, both are locked together in mid-table and on current form; Leeds have three wins from the last six as do Palace. A crucial factor therefore may well be injuries.

Leeds are now accustomed to being without Koch and Llorente and the Cooper-Struijk partnership has done well enough, while Rodrigo has been ably covered by moving Stuart Dallas into midfield. Palace have suggested that James Tomkins, Jeff Schlupp and talisman Wilf Zaha are all missing.

I’m feeling confident about this one, Lady Luck didn’t smile on us at Palace so I’m expecting her to be prominent in white tonight!

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Crystal Palace 1.

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds came down to earth with a slight ‘bump’ after two away wins on Wednesday. The defeat to Everton was disappointing but a little expected.

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The Toffees had shown in earlier Premier League games and at Goodison Park that they are a good team.

Two defensive ‘howlers’ gave Everton a two-goal lead and despite an excellent second half by Leeds, they could only manage one goal.

Leeds United's injured striker Rodrigo. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.Leeds United's injured striker Rodrigo. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.
Leeds United's injured striker Rodrigo. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.

Everton survived mainly thanks to the heroics of their keeper Robin Olsen who saved at least three certain goals and a couple of misses in the later stages of the game.

A draw would have been a fair result in my opinion.

Many have already said that as little as three more wins could see Leeds guarantee a second season in the top league – I reckon we’ll need as many points as possible.

Remember this is Leeds we are talking about!

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson will be without talisman Wilfried Zaha tonight due to injury. Picture:  Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire.Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson will be without talisman Wilfried Zaha tonight due to injury. Picture:  Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson will be without talisman Wilfried Zaha tonight due to injury. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire.
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Palace will be without a good number of the players that played in their 4-1 win over Leeds in November, including Wilfried Zaha who has a hamstring injury.

Leeds will be without Rodrigo who is out for at least a couple of weeks with a leg muscle injury.

Gaetano Berardi will be returning to training this week but will need a couple of under-23s games at least to get him back to anything like the match fitness Bielsa demands.

An interesting game methinks, with Leeds having a good opportunity to get three points and a little revenge for that earlier defeat at Palace.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

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I’m sure everyone is thinking that we owe Crystal Palace something at Elland Road tonight.

The reverse fixture descended into farce after VAR ruled Patrick Bamford’s lower arm offside and Palace did very little to deserve such a thumping win. They visit West Yorkshire with injury woes and, while it’s not all rosy in the Thorp Arch treatment room, United have hopefully got enough available to pay back Roy Hodgson’s side with interest.

It’s still uncertain what we can achieve this season.

A relegation battle is still not off the table but neither is a late dash for a European place.

This is one of those games that will tell us a lot.

We were unlucky not to grab something from last week’s game against Everton and the players will no doubt be fired up to get us back to winning ways.

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If we can stay upright on our new, slippy pitch then I think we can put Palace to the sword with a thumping victory tonight.

Prediction: Leeds United 5 Crystal Palace 2.

JACOB STARR

Crystal Palace are the visitors next up at Elland Road, and hopefully for our sake, the outcome is in no way similar to the fixture at Selhurst Park earlier this season.

Roy Hodgson’s side will be lacking a certain Wilfried Zaha, the Eagles’ driving force, so if they want to put four past us again, they’re going to have to look elsewhere for some attacking influence.

Leeds have come a long way since that drubbing in early November, with the last three matches showing a different side to our game, despite being narrowly beaten by Everton.

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Another goal for Raphinha on Wednesday night sparked a second-half performance which ought to have merited an equaliser, although there was no shame in the 2-1 defeat.

The Brazilian winger will be the one to watch against Palace. What a snip he is looking at £20m.

Unfortunately, Rodrigo is facing a few weeks on the treatment table, but Zaha could be the key absentee as I don’t see much creativity in this Crystal Palace team without him.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 0.

ANDY RHODES

After a difficult night last midweek, Leeds will be looking to bounce back in another home game.

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Form has proved hard to cultivate at Elland Road this season, with the majority of United’s points coming on the road.

However, the defeat to Everton showed some encouraging signs. Raphinha continues to shine in a Leeds shirt, while Patrick Bamford is again showing his quality.

If not for an inspired goalkeeping performance, the Whites would’ve won that game with ease.

Palace haven’t been great away from home this season, winning just twice since October.

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With that in mind, and with danger man Wilfried Zaha injured, United should be full of confidence, despite their struggles at home.

A win here would see Leeds onto the 32-point mark and into the top half of the table – a major milestone at this stage of the season.

Although survival was the main aim, United can eye much more than that.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Crystal Palace 1.

MIKE GILL

After a sloppy first half and a scintillating second half, United were unlucky not to get at least a draw from the Everton game.

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A combination of bad luck and a wonderful performance from Everton’s second choice goalkeeper thwarted United’s efforts at every turn.

Clearly, Robin Olsen wanted to prove that he is more than an expensive bench warmer.

It was another of those rare defeats that you actually enjoy watching as the Whites slipped and slid across the slick new playing surface.

In many respects our clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in November was a bit of an aberration.

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The 4-1 scoreline certainly flattered the men from South London.

United’s current form suggests that they should be capable of bagging all three points but you can’t be certain.

Wilfried Saha is a hugely influential player to be missing but whatever, this is a tough match to predict.

What United need is a performance like they turned on against Everton in the first half.

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Probably longer boot studs liberally treated with billiard chalk and lots of talcum powder dumped on the Elland Road pitch will also help.

Prediction: Leeds 3 Crystal Palace 2.

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