Farke To Make Changes? | Predicted 3-5-2 Leeds United Lineup To Face Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Daniel Farke is turning things around at Elland Park since switching to a three-man backline, as the newly-promoted Leeds United have gone three points clear of the relegation zone following a three-game unbeaten run. While they scripted late comebacks to settle for draws with Liverpool and Brentford, the gaffer must find a way to claim all three points against Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Oliver Glasner rested his first-team stars on Thursday night during their 2-2 draw with KuPS in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Eagles are currently fifth in the Premier League standings, and a victory on Saturday night could see them secure a ‘top four’ spot in Christmas if the other results favour them this gameweek.

Predicted 3-5-2 Leeds United Lineup To Face Crystal Palace

Defence

Leeds United snapped up Lucas Perri in the summer window to resolve their conundrum between the sticks. The Brazilian should retain his ‘number 1’ status ahead of Karl Darlow, as the club would look to cut ties with Illan Meslier after falling down the pecking order since the backend of the previous campaign.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Leeds United at Gtech Community Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Farke’s ‘back three’ comprises Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, who have brought the stability back in the defensive third. Sebastiaan Bornauw has made a couple of appearances upon his summer arrival; however, the former Wolfsburg centre-back has so far been utilised as the understudy to the first-choice defenders.

Midfield

Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson have impressed down the wide, offering the right balance between defence and attack. James Justin and Sam Byram are there to challenge and cover for the fullback spots, but their minutes have been limited due to the excellence of the preferred pair.

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire side are without Sean Longstaff, who has yet to recover from his calf injury. Ao Tanaka has stepped in and delivered in his absence, and the Japanese midfield ace should keep his place alongside Anton Stach and skipper Ethan Ampadu. Ampadu should operate from the base as a deep-lying playmaker, allowing Tanaka and Stach to operate box-to-box and offer overload in and around the attacking third. Ilia Gruev could be introduced from the bench as a second-half substitute.

Attack

Lukas Nmecha is still nursing his injury, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in red-hot form, having found the net in four successive fixtures. Noah Okafor should keep his place for now, but the impact Wilfried Gnonto has made as a ‘super sub’ could reduce the minutes of the Swiss attacker. Daniel James is sidelined with a thigh strain, but the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe and Jack Harrison might be brought in at some stage to offer more firepower up top.