'That just plays into their hands even more' - Graham Smyth delivers Leeds United v Crystal Palace prediction
Graham Smyth has been discussing Leeds United’s Premier League home match against Crystal Palace on Saturday
Leeds United take on Crystal Palace this weekend hoping to continue their good run of form in the Premier League. There has been an upward turn of results for Daniel Farke’s side, who are three games unbeaten after two stellar performances against Chelsea and Liverpool at Elland Road, where they picked up a win and a draw before an encouraging away performance as they came back from 1-0 down to secure a point against Brentford.
Now, attention turns back to Elland Road, where the Whites have picked up the majority of their points this season, and a Saturday night game under the lights against Oliver Glasner’s ever-impressive Palace side.
The Eagles have built on winning their first-ever major trophy with the FA Cup last season and sit in fifth place, above the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, and they are also giving a good account of themselves in the Conference League, where they will be hoping to achieve a top-eight spot to avoid an additional play-off round.
But with fixture congestion to deal with and a raucous Elland Road ready for their final game for Christmas, Smyth believes this weekend’s game is an opportunity for Leeds to pick up points once again.
Graham Smyth’s Leeds United v Crystal Palace prediction
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth said: “You can see Chelsea and Liverpool come and struggle in the way they did and give up points and goals the way they did and not be a little bit reticent about this.
“What affects your schedule, you know, to go Sunday, Thursday, Saturday is a big ask. Thursday, Saturday in particular is a lot to ask of a squad, and it's not even just the players who play, is it? Like, it's the whole match day routine. It's the disruption to training. It's the very little preparation time you'll have. Even if you play different players at Elland Road that you play at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, the training time has been interrupted by this other game that they'll either be involved in or or you know, the management team will be involved in it regardless.
“So pretty daunting, I would say, for them and a great opportunity for Leeds. Every game at Elland Road should be an opportunity for Leeds. It's night game again, isn't it? Of course, it has to be because they played on Thursday. That just plays into Leeds’ hands a little bit more.”
Smyth also gave his prediction for the game, stating, “I'm saying Leeds United of West Yorkshire two, Crystal Palace of South London one. “
The game takes place at Elland Road on Saturday at 8pm GMT and is live on Sky Sports.