"Surely" - Leeds United fans in complete agreement on Crystal Palace visit and lower European spots take
Leeds United’s fans have their say on Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace.
Unbeaten Leeds United will seek a second win at Elland Road in the space of six days with Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say including complete agreement on the predictions front and a lower European spots take.
NEIL GREWER
Crystal Palace have not started the season well with three defeats from four games and what appears to be, currently, a weaker squad than last season.
This is probably a good time to play them. Contrast that with Leeds who, unquestionably, have a stronger squad than last season and are unbeaten in the league.
Another points haul from this game will give Leeds a safety net with some difficult games lined up in October.
The Leeds team dynamic has evolved this season with the right side of the defence seemingly free to rove around the pitch, giving overlaps and finding pockets of space.
Whilst opposition managers will doubtless be aware of this strategy, nullifying these scenarios may leave gaps elsewhere which can be exploited. Certainly, to date the plan has worked.
Also this season, Ao Tanaka appears to be settled into the Premier League and fulfilling his potential. This has given Daniel Farke improved options in team selection and formation and, again, the benefits have already been seen.
I predict a Leeds victory but less emphatic than last Monday with Palace setting up defensively.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 0.
EVAN SEAMAN
Leeds will be hoping for back-to-back victories when they welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road this weekend after a promising start to the season.
Despite getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Chelsea, Daniel Farke's side got an immediate reaction as they beat Newcastle United 4-1 on Monday night.
However, Leeds know they cannot be complacent in the Premier League because Palace have had two very successful seasons recently, winning the FA Cup and then the UEFA Conference League so it will, undoubtedly, be a competitive fixture.
In terms of team news, Leeds are still without Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph, and Ilia Gruev is also a doubt for the game which leaves Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to lead the line.
Calvert-Lewin had a commanding performance against Newcastle and there is speculation he will be recalled to the next England squad.
For Palace, they have quite a few absences to deal with as Axel Disasi is currently suspended, and the injured players include Jean-Phillipe Mateta, Dean Henderson and Ismaila Sarr, with Eddie Nketiah also a doubt.
Prediction: Leeds United 3 Crystal Palace 1.
“We can now surely aspire to one of those lower European spots”
DAVID WATKINS
Heaping sorrow on the Magpies last Monday has shifted expectations for many Leeds fans.
Whereas most hoped for a season that merely improved on last season, we can now surely aspire to one of those lower European spots.
So far this season, performances and results suggest that is possible – if we can maintain the same form throughout the campaign.
If we are to do that, though, beating Crystal Palace is a given.
The Eagles have won only one league game so far, a narrow 3-2 victory at Fulham, who have posted just a single point to date.
Their other games ended in defeat: 0-2 at Everton, 1-4 at home to Manchester City and, last weekend, a 2-3 home reverse against Ipswich, though they had Axel Disasi sent off early doors in that one, which didn’t help their cause.
On form alone, therefore, this looks and feels like a home banker; any slip-up by Leeds would be a real disappointment and would have us toning down those expectations again.
But, for almost a year now, Leeds have generally posted results we’d expect from a top-half side, and there is no reason to believe we can’t continue in that vein.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 0.
KEITH INGHAM
Wow that was good! A totally dominant performance that blew Newcastle out of Beeston.
The 4-1 win was better than most expected with the goals coming from a Miley own goal, Bogle (awarded to Calvert-Lewin on appeal) and DCL in a mesmerising first half.
Okafor got the fourth in the second while Newcastle’s goal came in injury time. The win took Leeds third.
Sunday brings another home game, to Crystal Palace. The Londoners haven’t had the best of starts and have lost three out of their opening four fixtures. Last weekend they lost 3-2 at home to promoted Ipswich.
Daniel Farke used a midfield of Ampadu, Tanaka and Stach with the German playing in an advanced role and all three had superb games, as did the rest of their team-mates.
I’d expect the manager to keep the same eleven, if all are fit, against Palace. Gabi Gudmundsson came off in the second half on Monday but Farke said it was cramp so he should be fit to play.
I’m really hoping the unbeaten start can be taken into the first international break. Leeds look really good and, if they get an early goal, we might see a few goals going into the Palace net.
PS: My granddaughter loved her first game at Leeds.
Prediction: Leeds United 3 Crystal Palace 1.
“Playing some of the best football of his career”
MIKE GILL
After the magnificent demolition of Newcastle, hopes will be high for the visit of Crystal Palace.
Staying humble will be the top priority for Daniel Farke's men and you can be sure that Ethan Ampadu and his comrades will be ensuring that no complacency creeps into their game.
The Whites are looking well balanced at the moment with a strong-looking squad and morale is high.
DCL, in particular, has hit the ground running this season and is playing some of the best football of his career.
The Eagles have not started the new season by flying high, having won at fellow strugglers Fulham but losing their other three games in the Premier League.
They are still competing in the Carabao Cup as well as the UEFA Europa League, fulfilling a fixture at home to Lech Poznan last night.
They have plenty to occupy them in midweek as well as at the weekend and they will be anxious to improve their Premier League form so the European adventure does not turn into a nightmare.
They are managed by Pierre Sage who will need to live up to his name!
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 0.