'Turned my head' - Gary Neville and Ian Wright disagree on Leeds United vs Crystal Palace prediction
Leeds United welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Saturday.
Gary Neville has predicted Leeds United to continue their good form with a win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, having had his ‘head turned’ by recent performances.
Leeds have been much-improved since a half-time change of tact at Manchester City last month. Daniel Farke’s new-look side lost 3-2 at the Etihad but have since taken five points from games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Brentford, the latter a 1-1 away draw last weekend.
Palace will provide another stern test on Saturday, having won their last three on the road. Oliver Glasner’s side host KuPS in the Europa Conference League this evening, however, and have just 48 hours to rest and recover before kicking off in West Yorkshire.
Neville was at Elland Road for both of Leeds’ recent home games, watching them beat Chelsea 3-1 before coming from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 against Liverpool. And the former Manchester United defender expects a ‘high energy’ performance from Farke’s side to keep all three points in LS11.
“Leeds look a lot better by the way. Leeds have turned my head,” Neville told The Overlap as part of his Super 6 predictions. “Leeds are high energy, 2-1 Leeds. I think they’re a lot better.”
Both of Leeds’ recent results at home came under the floodlights, an environment in which Elland Road seems to be at its fervent best. The Saturday 8pm kick-off should once again provide an excellent atmosphere.
Ian Wright predicting Elland Road thriller
Leeds have certainly been entertaining in recent weeks, at least up until their attritional 1-1 draw at Brentford last time out. The Whites have scored three goals in each of their last two games at Elland Road and netted twice at Manchester City having switched to a 3-5-2 formation.
Palace are expected to rotate heavily during Thursday evening’s Europa Conference League clash, having already qualified for the knockout play-off round at least, with Glasner admitting this week he will not start anyone in both games. The Eagles have looked notably fatigued in recent weeks, however, and have injury issues to manage.
Leeds will be under no illusion regarding the task at hand this weekend though, with Palace still fifth in the Premier League despite their recent challenges. And one of their former strikers, Ian Wright, has gone against Neville by predicting a fourth victory in four away games for the London club.
“Leeds at home is going to be tough, but I fancy Palace to do something,” Wright added. “The atmosphere there is so good. If Palace can see that off… but they keep coming, Leeds. I’m thinking out loud. I’m gonna go Palace, 3-2 Palace.”
Leeds will hope to have Lukas Nmecha back involved on Saturday, with the striker missing two games so far after picking up a hamstring injury against Chelsea. Longer-term absentees Daniel James (hamstring tendon) and Sean Longstaff (calf) will miss out, with returns for both not expected until the New Year.