Leeds United are back in action on Saturday night, and Daniel Farke’s men play host to Crystal Palace at Elland Road with the chance to stretch the gap between themselves and the bottom three.
It all looks like it’s working in Leeds’ favour. The Whites go into the 17th Premier League match of 2025-26 with a feel-good factor. Tim Howard thinks Leeds will be focusing on staying unbeaten this week.
Can Leeds continue their recent resurgence against Crystal Palace? Let us know your predictions 🔮🦅
Elland Road has been a fortress this season.
So, Leeds are confident. Even more so, given that Farke’s men are at Elland Road. But perhaps more than that, because Crystal Palace are without six key players and the Eagles play on Thursday in Europe.
Literally, 48 hours before kick-off at Elland Road on Saturday. Oliver Glasner has already said he will make 11 changes to his team. But will Daniel Farke have to make any changes? He spoke on Thursday.
Daniel Farke delivers injury update and Lukas Nmecha news
As usual, Farke held his press conference on Thursday afternoon ahead of a Saturday game. But perhaps, unusually, Farke spoke to reporters with Palace still a whole game away from actually focusing on Leeds.
Lukas Nmecha was the only doubt ahead of Brentford, with both Dan James and Sean Longstaff set to be missing for a few more weeks yet. Farke provided his injury update at the start of the press conference.
“No surgery for James, conservative route. Eight weeks in total before he returns to training and then lets see how quickly he is back to full speed. Sean, he’s progressing, doing individual stuff on the pitch.
“The first step will be to reintegrate him into training and we will need a few sessions. Lukas Nmecha is out for the next game. He is still a bit symptomatic so I have the same group of players on Saturday.”
How Leeds United will line-up against Crystal Palace…
A lot hinged on Nmecha with Farke confirming he is now out. With the Germany star now missing the game, it is expected that Noah Okafor will continue his role up top, even with Joel Piroe ready to go.
Elsewhere, Farke has to make a decision on whether he sticks with 3-5-2. In the last two games, Farke has got Leeds back into it by reverting to his more tried-and-trusted 4-3-3 or even, a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Does Willy Gnonto deserve to start against Crystal Palace? 🤔
The Italian star has made a huge impact from the bench in Leeds' last two games
In terms of changing personnel that remain fit from the Brentford clash, it is likely Farke sticks with the same 11. Ao Tanaka was poor last time out and Ilia Gruev may come in, but it seems very unlikely.
Willy Gnonto arguably deserves a go in the starting line-up but while it is working to start with the 3-5-2 system, the Italy international may have to wait a bit longer to return to the starting line-up under Farke.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
