Match Overview
Leeds United welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday night. The hosts aim to steady their season after a difficult run, while Palace look to convert recent promise into points despite a setback at Manchester City. Last season’s meeting produced a heavy Leeds defeat, adding an edge to this rematch. Cool, wet December conditions could make this a physical, disciplined contest.
- Fixture: Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Elland Road
- Date: 20-12-2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 GMT / 20:00 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Leeds United
- Lucas Perri
- J. Bogle
- G. Gudmundsson
- J. Rodon
- E. Ampadu
- A. Stach
- A. Tanaka
- B. Aaronson
- I. Gruev
- D. Calvert-Lewin
- N. Okafor
Crystal Palace
- D. Henderson
- M. Lacroix
- T. Mitchell
- C. Richards
- M. Guéhi
- A. Wharton
- J. Lerma
- J. Devenny
- W. Hughes
- J. Mateta
- Yeremy Pino
Injury & Suspension Report
Leeds United
- L. Nmecha – Thigh Injury
- S. Longstaff – Calf Injury
- D. James – Hamstring Injury
Crystal Palace
- Caleb Kporha – Back Injury
- I. Sarr – International duty
- D. Muñoz – Knee Injury
- C. Doucouré – Knee Injury
- C. Riad – Knee Injury
- Rio Cardines – Muscle Injury
- D. Kamada – Thigh Injury
Head-to-Head
Across 39 meetings, Leeds lead the series with 18 wins to Crystal Palace’s 11, with 10 draws. Recent encounters have tended to be tight, averaging just under 2.5 goals across the last five. Palace also won 5-1 in last season’s fixture, a result the hosts will be keen to avenge.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Leeds arrive in need of points after slipping to 17th, with 16 points from 16 games. Their identity remains an energetic press and high-tempo transitions, but defensive lapses have hurt them. Home backing at Elland Road should fuel their intensity, and in wet, cool conditions, duels and second balls will carry added importance.
Crystal Palace’s recent run shows both threat and resilience: seven goals across five matches and three wins in that stretch, tempered by a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s seven goals underline their focal point in the box, while Dean Henderson’s form on the road has been notable, with nine clean sheets in 13 away outings this season. Even with a lengthy absentee list, a back line featuring Marc Guéhi, Chris Richards, Tyrick Mitchell and Maxence Lacroix offers structure, and the midfield of Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Jamie Devenny and Will Hughes provides work-rate and control.
Crystal Palace aims to carve out a Premier League spot as Leeds’ Elland Road hosts a battle of grit and grit-edge tactics.
Palace can strengthen their push toward the top half with a positive result. Expect a balanced plan built on compact spacing, quick outlets to Yeremy Pino and direct supply to Mateta. The visitors’ defensive organisation and Henderson’s away record suggest they can withstand periods of Leeds pressure and look for counters or set-piece moments.
For Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent scoring run of three in three makes him the key outlet, with support from Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor. The midfield trio of A. Stach, A. Tanaka and I. Gruev must set the press and protect central spaces, as Palace have punished transitions in the past. Keeping a disciplined back line with Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu will be essential to avoid the kind of open exchanges that favoured Palace last season.
Given the historic trend of low-scoring meetings and Palace’s sturdy away profile, this shapes as a controlled contest with limited clear chances. Leeds’ intensity at home should secure territory, but Palace’s efficiency and set structure can balance the ledger. Prediction: Draw, 1-1.