Mark Lawrenson reveals Leeds United concern ahead of Crystal Palace clash & casts scoreline prediction

Crystal Palace's French-born Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew (L) fights for the ball with Leeds United's Brazilian midfielder Raphinha during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Leeds United at Selhurst Park in south London on November 7, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Leeds United will look to bounce back from their midweek loss to Everton with a win this weekend, when they take on Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Writing his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, broadcaster and pundit Mark Lawrenson continued his tradition of backing Leeds to win, and tipped the Whites to secure a 2-0 victory.

Despite his positive prediction, Lawro did reveal a real concern regarding Marcelo Bielsa's side, and claimed: "Leeds are always a good watch but they will have to do better on their new pitch than they did against Everton.

"I heard it being described afterwards as 'looking like it had been treated with olive oil' which I thought was a great line - but as Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said, his players were slipping and Everton's weren't."

He continued: "Leeds don't seem able to defend at the best of times but what might help them get a clean sheet this time is that Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha is a major doubt with a hamstring injury.

"Palace will play on the break like they usually do whether he is fit or not but, without Zaha, they just don't carry the same threat."

Meanwhile, celebrity guest predictor for the week, TV presenter Gethin Jones, tipped a 1-1 scoreline, and contended: "Palace negate teams, Leeds attack you and try and play around you. So, let's go for a draw."

The last time the two sides met, back in November, a clinical display of attacking football from Roy Hodgson’s side saw the Eagles storm to a 4-1 win at Selhurst Park.