Leeds United vs Crystal Palace – News and Probable Lineups

Leeds United, eager to maintain their unbeaten run at the beginning of the new Premier League season, host Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Last season, the Whites secured a 4-1 victory in this home fixture, whereas both teams played out a goalless draw during their latest encounter at Selhurst Park in March.

Match overview

As of now, only Arsenal and Manchester City (both with 12 points) have earned more Premier League points than Leeds (eight) after four fixtures this season, with Daniel Farke’s squad enjoying an unbeaten start in the top echelon.

Quick to recuperate from their tumultuous 6-3 loss to Chelsea in the EFL Cup, the Whites showcased an impressive display with a dominant 4-1 league win against Newcastle on Monday, propelling them to third place in the standings.

No English player has scored more Premier League goals in 2026 than Dominic Calvert-Lewin (17), who netted his third of the season against Newcastle, although another was disallowed by Jayden Bogle. The striker has since received a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the upcoming two-week international period.

With only one defeat in their last 13 league matches (W6 D6), Leeds have been solid, but Farke has urged his players to be at their best if they wish to secure maximum points in a “very challenging encounter” against Crystal Palace.

In their past five meetings with Crystal Palace, Leeds have won just once (D2 L2), yet they have triumphed in seven of their last eight home league clashes with the Eagles, netting 16 goals in that stretch.

Crystal Palace has garnered only three points from a possible 12 in the Premier League so far this season, with their lone victory against Fulham sandwiched between defeats to Everton, Manchester City, and Ipswich Town.

Last weekend, the Eagles faced a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Ipswich at Selhurst Park, where they initially rallied back with ten men to equalize, but Zian Flemming found the winner for the visiting side in the 90th minute.

Nonetheless, Pierre Sage’s team bounced back with a decisive 4-0 home victory against Lech Poznan in their opening Europa League match, and the Frenchman is now calling for consistency as they seek to build on this improved performance while keeping a clean sheet.

Crystal Palace’s defensive weaknesses have cost them dearly early in the season, having conceded the most goals (11), allowing the joint-most shots on target (26), and letting opponents have the highest number of touches in their own penalty area (164) in the league.

They have also leaked at least two goals in every one of their last ten top-flight fixtures and will aim to earn their first clean sheet in the league since April 20 when they take on Leeds, who have scored in all their last five home matches at Elland Road (12 goals total).

Team News

Leeds head coach Farke has confirmed that Harry Wilson is out with a quad injury, while both Joe Rodon (hamstring) and Mateo Joseph (knee) are unavailable due to injuries.

Farke might stick with an unchanged starting XI, as James Justin, Nico Elvedi, and Tarik Muharemovic are likely to continue in central defence, while in-form Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson are expected to feature as wing-backs.

Calvert-Lewin has netted in each of his last five Premier League home games and is expected to be partnered in attack by Noah Okafor, while captain Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, and Ao Tanaka could all be among the starters in midfield.

On Crystal Palace’s side, Axel Disasi will commence a three-match ban following his red card against Ipswich, while Dean Henderson (ankle), Jean-Philippe Mateta (hamstring), and Chadi Riad (knee) are also sidelined by injuries.

With Disasi out, Sage will consider whether to give Takehiro Tomiyasu or Jaydee Canvot a chance in the back three, alongside Chris Richards and Honest Ahanor. Players like Eddie Nketiah, Dwight McNeil, and Oscar Mingueza are all pushing for spots in the starting XI.

Ismaila Sarr made his season debut as a substitute midweek, and Sage has indicated the forward is “maybe” ready to start, though not fit enough to complete 90 minutes.

Jorgen Strand Larsen, with four goals in his last three appearances, is expected to lead the attack, potentially alongside Yeremy Pino and either Nketiah or Daichi Kamada if Sarr does not start.

Leeds United probable starting XI:

Trafford; Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic; Bogle, Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor

Crystal Palace probable starting XI:

Henderson; Tomiyasu, Richards, Ahanor; Khalaili, Timber, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Strand Larsen

Despite Crystal Palace securing a morale-boosting win in European competition midweek, their defensive frailties in the Premier League continue to be a major concern. They cannot afford to make costly mistakes against a formidable Leeds team.

Leeds have appeared exceptionally strong and dominant in this early phase of the season, and in front of an energized Elland Road crowd, they should have more than enough quality to outscore the Eagles on their way to another convincing win.