Patrick Bamford returns to Selhurst Park with point to prove

Patrick Bamford currently sits joint-fifth in the Premier League scoring charts.

He’s joined on six goals by England captain Harry Kane and Newcastle’s summer signing Callum Wilson.

This weekend, Patrick Bamford returns to Crystal Palace, a club he went on loan to during the 2015/16 season.

The then 22-year-old arrived in South London after a successful spell with Middlesbrough, which saw the striker net 17 times in the Championship as Boro lost out to Norwich in Play-Off Final.

His performances led him to be named the Championship Player of the Year for the 2014/15 season which promoted Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish to secure a season-long deal.

A hat-trick in a pre-season friendly would have boosted Bamford’s confidence, but his loan spell at Selhurst Park would ultimately end in disappointment.

Managed by Alan Pardew, Bamford failed to make a Premier League start and terminated the loan himself without telling the Eagles or his parent club Chelsea.

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Bamford stated at the time:

“That was my last game for Palace,” he said. “If I were being honest, it has been terrible. No one wants to sit on the bench and not play.

“It was my decision. The gaffer hasn’t actually spoken to me.”

The former England Under-21 international later apologised for his comments and insisted he ‘really enjoyed’ his time at Palace.

Bamford, now 27, is undoubtedly enjoying the best spell of his career. The faith instilled in him under Marcelo Bielsa has taken the striker to new heights.

His scoring form has largely come away from home, netting five out of his six league goals away from Elland Road.

In fact, should he score against Roy Hodgson’s men, he’d become the first Leeds player to score in four consecutive away appearances since Mark Viduka in August 2002.

The two teams are evenly matched when glancing at the Premier League table with only one goal separating Leeds in 12th and Palace in 13th.

Visits to the capital have not favoured Leeds in the past however, the Whites winning just one of their last 20 league fixtures in London.

Saturday afternoon’s Premier League fixture is set to be an exciting game as two different sets of styles face off. Bielsa’s high tempo press will test Palace’s pragmatic approach.

Bamford will almost certainly lead the line after Rodrigo tested positively for COVID-19, Kalvin Phillips and Diego Llorente also remain sidelined.

Palace have three casualties defensively in Joel Ward, Tyrick Mitchell and James Tomkins, but Hodgson will be pleased to have Gary Cahill and Jordan Ayew available for selection.

A third-consecutive away win remains the target for Leeds, but Palace seek a home win for the first time since the opening day. Saturday afternoon’s Premier League instalment should provide an entertaining affair between two well-matched sides.

Tom Hardy will be at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace entertain Leeds.

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