How Crystal Palace’s Europa League spot could impact Leeds United’s 2026/27 fixtures | OneFootball

Crystal Palace’s Conference League triumph is likely to shape Leeds United’s 2026/27 schedule, with nearly half of their Premier League rivals in Europe.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 for a first European trophy, finishing one place and two points below Leeds. The win secures Europa League football, mirroring Tottenham’s feat last year when they finished 17th and won the Europa League.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool qualified for the Champions League. Palace join Bournemouth and Sunderland in the Europa League, with Brighton taking the Conference League berth.

Premier League rules stop Thursday teams playing on Saturday, so those games move to Sunday. With four Thursday regulars, Leeds could face Bournemouth, Sunderland, Palace or Brighton the following weekend. Last season two Leeds matches moved, a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest and March’s 0-0 at Palace.

European weeks also restrict Friday and Monday picks, and Carabao Cup rounds close midweeks. Sky Sports are meant to pick any team no more than five times across those slots, yet Leeds were chosen seven last season.

A lighter calendar could help. Leeds played 44 matches last season, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest 52 and 56, and Palace 60. It aided fitness management for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor. Fixtures are out on Friday, June 19, with the season starting August 22/23.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk