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Leeds will be looking to bounce back from an unfortunate loss against Everton when they host Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.
Monday’s evening kick-off sees 11th-placed Leeds host the Eagles, who currently sit in 13th. In United’s last tie against Everton, whilst being generally outperformed in the first-half, Leeds were truly unlucky to come away with nothing from the game, denied only by the heroic performance of Everton’s shot-stopper Robin Olsen.
Palace will be hoping to make it three consecutive wins for the first time this season, coming off the back of two impressive wins at home against Wolves and away at Newcastle, 1-0 and 2-1 respectively.
The sides met at Selhurst Park in November in what was their first top-flight clash in over twenty years. Palace would trounce the Whites 4-1, with first-half goals from Scott Dann and Eberechi Eze, as well as an own goal from Helder Costa, ensuring that the tie was decided long before Jordan Ayew added a fourth goal in the second half, regardless of Patrick Bamford’s 27th-minute strike.
The game perhaps would have taken a different direction if Bamford didn’t have an earlier potential equaliser unjustly ruled offside, but Palace outclassed the West Yorkshire side regardless and were fairly rewarded with all three points.
Whilst Palace are on good form, the absence of Wilfried Zaha will no doubt be a huge impact to the London side, who was taken off in their 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park.
The Ivorian has been a key player for the Eagles with his pace and general ability allowing him to confidently lead the offensive line, something that will surely be missed.
Palace will also be missing James McCarthy, James McArthur, Jeffrey Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins for the clash, with a bulk of the aforementioned injured personnel having featured in the earlier meeting between the sides.
Not good news on Wilf Zaha. Definitely out vs #LUFC. Roy: "He has a hamstring injury. We don't know how long it will keep him out but he certainly won't be available for this week. It could be even longer #cpfc
— George Sessions (@GeorgeSessions) February 5, 2021
As for Leeds, the Premier League new boys will remain without record signing Rodrigo, who came off injured against Leicester after about twenty minutes of play.
The Whites too will be without Ian Poveda, after the youngster sustained an injury in a midweek U23’s match. Poveda has been lively in his Premier League appearances, often providing a spark of pace and flair when it has been needed.
In the absences of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, the pairing of Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk should be utilised once more.
The game is one that both sides on their day can win, but key absences will no doubt once more take their toll. Such was the case in the first tie of the season when Leeds were missing Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo.
This too was at a time when Raphinha had not been integrated into the side. Although they will be missing their Spaniard, the presence of ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’, who will be making his 200th club appearance, and the highly-rated Brazilian winger, who continues to improve with each week, will be a massive boost for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Kalvin Phillips' next appearance for Leeds will be his 200th for the club across all competitions. ?
199 club appearances
17 Premier League appearances
12 goals
7 seasons
4 England caps
1 Championship winners medal
1 PFA Championship Team of the Year➡️ https://t.co/wq0hZ2hFcO pic.twitter.com/H83eBhJLCB
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) February 6, 2021
As for Palace, it is obvious that the absence of Zaha will be a massive blow. The Eagles, however, still have the flair and creativity of Eze in the attack, as well as the striking options of Michy Batshuayi and new signing Jean-Phillipe Mateta.
They too have the ever-reliable Vicente Guaita in-between the sticks, so fans can be hopeful that the absence of their star man will be as minimal as possible against one of the most attack-minded sides in the top flight.
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