Leeds United will look to continue their unbeaten Premier League start when they welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, with both sides heading into the fixture looking to build momentum before the international break.
Daniel Farke’s side have made an encouraging start to life back in the top flight, while Palace will be hoping their impressive midweek European victory can provide a springboard for a stronger run of league form. With Leeds sitting near the top of the early standings and Palace looking to turn promising performances into points, the meeting promises to be another important test for both teams.
The Whites have collected eight points from their opening four league matches and climbed to third after a convincing 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last time out. Palace, meanwhile, have taken three points from their first four matches, although Pierre Sage’s side arrive in West Yorkshire after an encouraging 4-0 Europa League victory over Lech Poznań.
Leeds began their campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest but have since gone unbeaten, drawing with Brentford and Brighton before producing their biggest league performance of the season against Newcastle. Ao Tanaka’s effort led to an own goal from Lewis Miley, Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled the advantage before half-time and Noah Okafor completed the scoring after the break.
The victory kept Leeds unbeaten in the league and moved them into third place, while Calvert-Lewin’s impressive start has also earned him a recall to the England squad. Farke believes the striker’s form makes the international call-up fully deserved.
“Fully deserved,” Farke said. “Perfect start to the new season. He has scored goals, has delivered performances, plays with confidence and he’s in a good rhythm. Dominic definitely deserves the call.”
Leeds will now face a Palace side whose league position does not fully reflect their performances, according to Farke. The Eagles have lost three of their four league matches, but their European campaign began with a 4-0 win over Lech Poznań on Thursday, while they also progressed in the Carabao Cup.
Farke believes Palace are stronger than last season and expects their new manager to have a settled side competing at a high level.
“I can’t speak with more respect about them. They’ve done exceptionally well, especially also winning titles in the last seasons under Oliver Glasner, and I would say they’ve also done a lot of good business in the transfer market in the summer. I think they’re even stronger than last season,” Farke said.
He also pointed to Palace’s narrow defeats and missed opportunities in the league, arguing that their three-point tally does not tell the whole story.
“They could easily sit there on at least seven or nine points, and they would have the same hype like around us,” Farke said. “So I’m very, very respectful, and I’m pretty sure they will play a really good season.”
Sage will be hoping Thursday’s European victory can provide a platform for a stronger domestic run. Palace’s official pre-match material confirms that the manager is seeking a response to the late 3-2 defeat by Ipswich and is also looking ahead to the international break after Sunday’s fixture.
The Palace boss also has several selection issues to manage. Dean Henderson remains out with an ankle problem, while Jean-Philippe Mateta is still recovering from a hamstring injury and Chadi Riad is unavailable with a knee problem. Axel Disasi is suspended for three matches following his red card against Ipswich. Ismaïla Sarr returned from injury as a substitute against Lech Poznań and is back in contention, although Sage indicated that he is not yet ready to play the full 90 minutes.
Leeds also have a small number of absentees. Harry Wilson will miss the match with a quad injury, while Joe Rodon remains unavailable. Ilia Gruev, however, is back in contention after stepping up his recovery with the Under-21s, and Farke confirmed that the midfielder is available for selection.
“Sadly, Harry Wilson’s out for this game. Quad injury,” Farke said. “So Harry’s out, obviously. Joe Rodon is out. All the others are available.”
The home side will also have the benefit of returning to Elland Road, where the atmosphere has already played a role in their strong start. James Justin highlighted the influence of the supporters ahead of Sunday’s game, saying the crowd can provide the extra effort needed in tight moments.
“Obviously, we know we have got an advantage at Elland Road. We have the 12th man behind us and it does give you that extra few per cent that you might need to get to the ball that is a yard away or in a 50/50,” Justin said.
The recent head-to-head record also provides an interesting backdrop. Leeds took four points from the two league meetings last season, winning 4-1 at Elland Road before the return fixture at Selhurst Park ended goalless. Calvert-Lewin scored twice in the home victory, with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach also finding the net.
Palace have conceded 11 goals in their opening four league matches, while Leeds have allowed four, giving the hosts the stronger defensive record going into the weekend. Palace’s attacking threat was evident in midweek, however, as they scored four without reply against Lech Poznań in their first Europa League match.
With Leeds aiming to maintain their unbeaten league start and Palace looking to carry their European momentum into the Premier League, Sunday’s meeting at Elland Road brings together two sides with contrasting early-season records and plenty to prove before the international break.
