Leeds United are in action for the second-to-last time this year on Saturday night when they welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road, and nine players could miss out in total.
Leeds come into the game having gone three matches unbeaten. Daniel Farke has saved his job with a win against Chelsea and an impressive draw against Liverpool at home, and then a point at Brentford.
Can Leeds continue their recent resurgence against Crystal Palace? Let us know your predictions 🔮🦅
Elland Road has been a fortress this season.
The Whites might have slipped into 17th place last weekend after their draw in London, but it has put a three-point gap between themselves and West Ham in 18th who suffered a 3-2 loss to Aston Villa.
The feel-good factor is back at Elland Road and Leeds fans are believing again. On Saturday night, they welcome FA Cup winners Crystal Palace to Yorkshire, and nine players in total could miss the match.
The six Crystal Palace players missing ahead of Leeds clash
Currently, a total of six Crystal Palace players will definitely be absent for Saturday’s clash. Of course, Oliver Glasner has to contend with a ridiculous schedule that sees Palace play in Europe on Thursday.
The Eagles play literally 48 hours before Saturday night’s 8pm tie, before Palace then go to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup next Tuesday. Glasner has confirmed he will make 11 changes between KuPS and Leeds.
It is likely Glasner fields a weakened side this evening, before bringing his big guns back into contention for Leeds. But he will be without Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz, Ismaila Sarr, and Cheick Doucoure.
Four key players, with Sarr jetting off for the African Cup of Nations. Kamada has a long-term hamstring issue, Munoz has undergone knee surgery, and £21m midfielder Doucoure has suffered a setback.
Moroccan defender Chadi Riad will also miss out, as will youngster Rio Cardines, who has made two senior appearances this season. A total of six players are missing for Palace, with KuPS still to play.
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Fifth goal in a row, incoming
For Leeds, it is a bit more straightforward than Palace
Palace are somewhat victims of their own success, lacking the depth to cope with fighting on four fronts and an extensive injury list. Losing midfielder Kamada is a blow, as is waving goodbye to Senegal’s Sarr.
Leeds will definitely be without two players. Sean Longstaff is likely to be growing closer to a recovery from his calf injury, but it would be a surprise to see the midfielder play before the turn of the year.
Dan James is further out, expected to be sidelined until the latter stages of January but for Lukas Nmecha remains a doubt with his calf issue. It was a surprise when Farke ruled him out of the Brentford match.
Nmecha is injury-prone. It may be that Farke and Leeds are being patient with him. But Leeds will be desperate to have him fit again, with 3-5-2 working best with Nmecha alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds, then, could be without three players and will certainly be without two. At least, that is before Farke speaks to the media on Thursday. A total of nine players between Palace and Leeds could miss the game.
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