Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Match Preview
A Saturday night clash under the lights at Elland Road sees Leeds United fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone against a high-flying Crystal Palace side.1 Leeds sit perilously in 17th place with 16 points but have shown flashes of brilliance at home, recently beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool.2 Crystal Palace, currently 5th with 26 points, are enjoying a stellar campaign but arrive off the back of a humbling 0–3 defeat to Manchester City.3 With both teams desperate for points for vastly different reasons, this promises to be an intense battle in West Yorkshire.+2
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Match Info
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 17)
- Venue: Elland Road, Leeds (Capacity: 37,792)
- Date: Saturday, 20 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 GMT | 21:00 CET | 15:00 ET
- Referee: Thomas Bramall (ENG)
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Match Stakes
Leeds United (17th — 16 pts):
- Win → Moves to 19 pts; potentially jumping to 14th/15th and easing relegation fears
- Draw → Extends unbeaten home run against top sides; keeps ticking over
- Loss → Could drop into the bottom three if rivals win; pressure mounts on Daniel Farke
Crystal Palace (5th — 26 pts):
- Win → Moves to 29 pts; solidifies Europa League spot and pressures top 4
- Draw → A decent point away, but risks losing touch with Champions League places
- Loss → Back-to-back defeats; momentum stall ahead of the busy festive period
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Team News
Leeds United:
- James D. — Out (Hamstring Injury)
- Longstaff S. — Out (Calf Injury)
- Nmecha L. — Questionable (Thigh Injury – Late fitness test)
- Gudmundsson J. — Available (Key winger)
- Ampadu E. — Available (Captain & Midfield anchor)
Crystal Palace:
- Doucouré C. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Kamada D. — Out (Hamstring Injury)
- Muñoz D. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Riad C. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Sarr I. — Out (International Duty)
- Kporha C. — Out (Back Injury)
- Cardines R. — Out (Muscle Injury)
- Wharton A. — Available (Key Midfield Controller)
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Leeds United
- 13/12 — 1–1 vs Brentford (Premier League)
- 06/12 — 3–3 vs Liverpool (Premier League)
- 03/12 — 3–1 vs Chelsea (Premier League)
- 29/11 — 2–3 vs Manchester City (Premier League)
- 23/11 — 1–2 vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
Crystal Palace
- 14/12 — 0–3 vs Manchester City (Premier League)
- 11/12 — 3–0 vs Shelbourne (UECL)
- 07/12 — 2–1 vs Fulham (Premier League)
- 03/12 — 1–0 vs Burnley (Premier League)
- 30/11 — 1–2 vs Manchester United (Premier League)
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 09/04/2023 — Leeds 1–5 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
- 09/10/2022 — Crystal Palace 2–1 Leeds (Premier League)
- 22/07/2022 — Crystal Palace 1–1 Leeds (Friendly)
- 25/04/2022 — Crystal Palace 0–0 Leeds (Premier League)
- 30/11/2021 — Leeds 1–0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Leeds United (3-5-2)
Meslier; Rodon, Struijk, Wober; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Firpo; Gnonto, Calvert-Lewin
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1)
Henderson; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix; Clyne, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Eze, Nketiah; Mateta
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Impact Bench
Leeds United: Aaronson (Energy), Piroe (Goal threat), Byram (Versatility)
Crystal Palace: Hughes (Experience), França (Creative spark), Schlupp (Utility)
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Tactical Analysis
Leeds United
Farke’s new 3-5-2 system has made Leeds formidable at Elland Road.34 By flooding the midfield with Ampadu, Tanaka, and Stach, they disrupt opposition rhythm. Their recent 3–1 win over Chelsea showed they can press high and finish clinically. Without Dan James, the width comes solely from wing-backs Bogle and Firpo.
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner’s side is built on rapid transitions. Even with a lengthy injury list (Muñoz and Doucouré out), the trio of Eze, Nketiah, and Mateta remains lethal. Palace have been excellent away from home (winning at Fulham and Burnley recently).35 They will look to exploit the space behind Leeds’ adventurous wing-backs.
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Key Battles
- Calvert-Lewin vs Guehi — physical aerial duel
- Eze vs Ampadu — stopping the playmaker is priority #1
- Gnonto vs Richards — speed vs strength
- Mitchell vs Bogle — battle of the wing-backs
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Spotlight Players
Leeds United — Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The striker has found his feet at Elland Road, scoring in recent big games.37 His hold-up play allows Leeds to get up the pitch, and his aerial prowess is a constant threat.
Crystal Palace — Adam Wharton
With Doucouré and Kamada out, Wharton is the heartbeat of the Palace midfield. His passing range and ability to break lines will dictate if Palace can control the game in a hostile atmosphere.
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Prediction
Leeds United 2–2 Crystal Palace
This has the makings of a high-scoring thriller. Leeds are scoring freely at home (3 vs Chelsea, 3 vs Liverpool) but conceding just as easily.38 Palace are dangerous on the road but missing key defensive pieces. A point apiece feels like a fair, albeit chaotic, outcome.
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Betting Insights
- Both Teams to Score — YES (High Probability)
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely
- Double Chance — Leeds or Draw39
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — Where to Watch
- UK: Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event
- USA: Peacock / NBC Sports
- International: Optus Sport (Aus), Fubo (Canada)
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace — FAQs
Q: When is the Leeds vs Crystal Palace match?
A: The match kicks off on Saturday, 20 December 2025, at 20:00 GMT.40
Q: Is Daichi Kamada playing for Palace?
A: No. Kamada is ruled out with a hamstring injury.41
Q: Who is the referee?
A: Thomas Bramall will officiate the match.
Q: Is the match on TV in the UK?
A: Yes, it will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League.
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