Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction | Dec 21 – Will High-Flying Palace Push Leeds into the Drop Zone?

Elland Road prepares for a fascinating pre-Christmas collision as Leeds United look to claw further away from the relegation mire against a Crystal Palace side dreaming of Europe. The stakes are vastly different but equally heavy; the hosts are desperate to maintain their survival momentum, currently enjoying a three-match unbeaten run that has lifted them to 17th. Conversely, the visitors arrive in West Yorkshire sitting proudly in 5th place, though they will be stinging from a recent reality check against Manchester City.

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Match Details at a Glance

Match Detail	Information
Match	Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
Venue	Elland Road
Date	December 21, 2025
Time	2:00 AM (BDT)/ 1:30 AM (INR)
Broadcast & Live Streaming	Click here to watch the Leeds United vs Crystal Palace live on Sports Live Hub (SLH)

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Injury News and Suspensions

Leeds United

Daniel Farke is navigating a tricky period with his squad depth. The midfield engine room is lighter than he would like, with Sean Longstaff sidelined until early January 2026 due to a calf injury. The attacking width also takes a hit, as the pacey Daniel James is out with a hamstring issue until late January. Furthermore, Lukas Nmecha, a key option for the forward line, remains unavailable until the New Year with a hamstring problem.

Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner’s high-intensity style often comes with a physical cost, and the treatment room at Selhurst Park is busy. The creative spark of Daichi Kamada is threatened by a hamstring injury listed for an early January return, though he remains in contention for the squad lists. Defensive depth is compromised with Chadi Riad (knee) and Caleb Kporha (back) both out.

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Records

Matches Played	37
Leeds United Won	17
Crystal Palace Won	14
Tied	6
First-ever Fixture	1991
Most-recent Fixture	April 9, 2023

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Form Guide

Leeds United

Life back in the big time hasn’t been easy for the Yorkshire club, but Daniel Farke seems to have steadied the ship just in time. Sitting 17th, three points clear of the drop, the Whites have finally found a rhythm. The emphasis on a structured, possession-based approach is starting to yield results, evident in their three-match unbeaten streak. They are no longer leaking goals quite as profusely, with Joe Rodon marshalling the defense with authority.

Crystal Palace

The South Londoners are enjoying a remarkable campaign under Glasner, currently perched in 5th place. Their “heavy metal” football, aggressive pressing and rapid transitions,has claimed some big scalps this season. While the recent loss to Manchester City was a dampener, their overall trajectory is upward. Jean-Philippe Mateta has been a handful for defenders, and the team’s energy levels are often overwhelming for mid-table sides.

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Key Battles

Joe Rodon vs Jean-Philippe Mateta

Based on the players available, a likely key duel will be the physical wrestling match in the heart of the Leeds defense. Joe Rodon has been the rock upon which Farke has built this recent unbeaten run. He loves a challenge and is dominant in the air. He will need to be at his absolute best to contain the Palace frontman.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, on the other hand, is the focal point of the Eagles’ attack. He thrives on physical confrontation and chaos in the box. If he can isolate Rodon or drag him out of position, it opens massive gaps for Palace’s midfielders to exploit. Mateta will look to peel off the shoulder of the defender and attack crosses from Mitchell.

Noah Okafor vs Chris Richards

On the flank, Leeds will look to Noah Okafor to provide the spark. Okafor offers pace, directness, and the ability to beat a man 1v1. In Farke’s system, he is crucial for stretching the pitch and creating space for the central midfielders like Tanaka to operate.

Tasked with stopping him is Chris Richards. The American defender has been solid, but he will have his hands full with Okafor’s movement. Richards needs to be disciplined if he dives in and misses, the Whites are in. However, if Richards can use his athleticism to shepherd Okafor away from goal and cut off the supply line, Leeds often run out of ideas in the final third.

Also read:- Everton vs Arsenal Prediction | Premier League 2025/26 | EPL Prediction

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Tactical Outlook

Daniel Farke will stick to his guns. Expect Leeds to set up in a 4-2-3-1 that morphs into a confident passing structure. They will try to play out from the back involving goalkeeper Perri, inviting the Palace press in hopes of bypassing it to find space in midfield. The key for the hosts will be the double pivot of Ampadu and Tanaka; they must be flawless on the ball.

Oliver Glasner’s approach will be less about possession and more about territory and intensity. The visitors will likely deploy a 3-4-2-1 system. They will press Leeds aggressively, trying to force turnovers high up the pitch. Wharton will dictate the tempo in midfield, looking to release Sarr and Pino quickly in transition. The Eagles will accept that Leeds might have more of the ball.

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Possible Playing Squad

Leeds United XI:

Perri (GK), Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Stach, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin

Crystal Palace XI:

Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta

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Leeds United vs Crystal Palace Match Prediction

However, Crystal Palace have quality that Leeds simply lack in the final third. Even with injuries, the threat of Mateta and Sarr is significant. The game will likely follow a pattern of Leeds holding the ball and Palace looking dangerous every time they win it back. Given Leeds’ recent resilience and Palace’s squad depletion, a stalemate feels like the most logical outcome in a game where fear of losing might outweigh the ambition to win.

Score Prediction

Leeds United 1–1 Crystal Palace; The Whites’ newfound solidity holds firm against a depleted Eagles side, resulting in a hard-fought point for both.

 

Disclaimer: This Football prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

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