Leeds predicted line-up vs Crystal Palace (3-5-2) | OneFootball

Leeds United return to Elland Road on Saturday night, aiming to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to four matches as they welcome Crystal Palace to West Yorkshire.

Leeds came from behind to secure a deserved 1-1 draw away at Brentford last weekend, continuing their recent upturn under Daniel Farke.

That point followed impressive performances against behemoths, and Leeds now sit 17th in the table.

They are three points clear of the relegation zone, with momentum in their favour.

However, Farke knows his Leeds team will have to bring their A-game against this tricky Palace side in pursuit of European football.

Match preview

Leeds have enjoyed a revival since Farke’s switch to a 3-5-2 system, which has somehow made them more fluid and confident in the final third.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the chief beneficiary, scoring in four consecutive Premier League matches, the joint-longest active run in Europe’s top five leagues.

Leeds have scored as many goals in their last five games as they managed in their previous 11 combined.

Elland Road has also become a more open, chaotic arena of late.

Leeds have scored and conceded in each of their last six home league games, with end-to-end football becoming the norm.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace arrive fresh from a bruising 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, a scoreline that flattered, given the Eagles generated enough chances to win.

Wastefulness proved costly, and Oliver Glasner’s side now face another quick turnaround following Thursday night’s Conference League draw with KuPS.

Palace remain fifth in the table, just two points off the top four, but their domestic form immediately after European fixtures has been a recurring concern.

Match stats

Leeds have taken five points from their last three league games, a run that included Chelsea, Liverpool, and Brentford.

On the other hand, Palace have failed to win any of their five league matches played directly after a Conference League fixture this season (D1, L4).

However, Palace will take solace from their record against Leeds, having beaten the hosts in their last two league meetings.

The Eagles haven’t lost to Leeds since 2021.

The Whites and the Eagles have faced off 52 times, with Leeds winning 24 and drawing 13 of those matches, dating back to a League Cup encounter in 1962.

Crystal Palace have won 10 league games on the road in 2025, the highest number of any Premier League club.

But Leeds’ home form will inspire confidence, having collected three-quarters of their Premier League points tally at Elland Road, 12 of 16.

Leeds will have to work to break Palace, though. Only league leaders Arsenal (10) have conceded fewer league goals than the Eagles (15) this season.

Team news

The home team will again be without the ‘excellent’ Lukas Nmecha, who has been ruled out with a hamstring issue despite fans hoping for a return.

Sean Longstaff and Daniel James also remain sidelined, leaving Farke with an unchanged pool of options.

With Nmecha unavailable, Noah Okafor is expected to continue alongside Calvert-Lewin in attack, despite missing chances at Brentford.

Italian international Wilfried Gnonto (13 caps) is likely to remain among the substitutes, as the current system favours wing-backs over traditional wingers.

The midfield trio of Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, and Ao Tanaka should be retained, while Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson continue in the wing-back roles.

The back three of Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol, and Joe Rodon is also set to remain intact in front of Lucas Perri.

Crystal Palace are stretched defensively. Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz, Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Rio Cardines, and Caleb Kporha are all unavailable.

Ismaila Sarr is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Leeds United predicted line-up (3-5-2)

Lucas Perri; Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk; Jayden Bogle, Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.