Crystal Palace vs Leeds United
Both sides are seeking Premier League ‘bouncebackability’ in their final matches before the international break.
Both could be forgiven for casting an envious eye on each other.
For Crystal Palace, Leeds United have been praised to the hilt since their promotion and classed as a club which deserves top-flight status – something Palace have achieved for the past seven years on a much smaller budget without always getting the accolades they deserve.
For Leeds, Palace have achieved exactly what they have long craved and are an example of what a well-run club can achieve.
Indeed, since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, the Eagles have only tasted top-flight status one season fewer (11) than the Yorkshiremen – themselves champions of England when the new dawn in English football began.
The truth, in 2020, is that there is little to choose between these two in ability or in the early standings and, while neither is expected to challenge for a European berth, they have no intention of getting drawn into a relegation battle either.
Talking Points
After a bright start, including a 3-0 win at Aston Villa and a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, Leeds were brought firmly back down to earth on Monday night with a comprehensive 4-1 home drubbing by Leicester City.
Whatever happens at Selhurst Park on Saturday, however, they can be more than happy with their initial return to the top flight and some notable Premier League highlights after a 16-year absence.
In the latest development of a season where teams have to fulfil fixtures despite players being struck down by the Covid virus, they will be without club-record signing Rodrigo, although it’s hoped he will return straight back into the reckoning following the brief domestic break.
Meanwhile, Palace, who sit just behind Leeds on goal difference, will be without Serbia midfielder Luka Milivojevic who was sent off in their 2-0 defeat to Wolves last time out.
Better news for them should see the likes of Gary Cahill and James McCarthy be available for selection for the hosts who have yet to win at home so far this term and were fortunate to escape with a point in their last home match – the M23 derby.
The men to watch are likely to be Wilfried Zaha and Patrick Bamford.
Zaha has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign with five goals and one assist. Should he not fire, Palace may struggle given they have only notched up three other strikes not scored by the Ivory Coast international – the joint lowest besides the bottom four.
Leeds have taken maximum points from trips to Sheffield United and Villa with Bamford chalking up all of Leeds goals in those matches,
They will spearhead the charge again this weekend – who has ‘bouncebackability’ remains to be seen.
History
This will actually be their first top-flight meeting since 1998. It was January of that year when Rod Wallace and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored inside the first 13 minutes to seal a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park in a season in which the Eagles were relegated.
By the time Palace were promoted back to the top-flight in 2004, they swapped places as Leeds went down at the same time and had not been back until this season.
They did, however, meet six times in the Championship between 2006 and 2013 (when Palace were promoted).
Their most recent meeting came in March 2013 when Leeds held Palace to a 2-2 draw when Glenn Murray and Steve Morison both netted braces – Palace were promoted via the play-offs little over two months later.
Overall, Palace have beaten the Yorkshire club 17 times, 16 meetings have ended all square and Leeds have won on 29 occasions.
The very first meeting was a goalless draw at Leeds in the former League Division Two in December 1921.
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