The Matchday 17 Premier League fixture between Leeds and Crystal Palace will take place on December 20 at Elland Road. Leeds – Crystal Palace: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Leeds
The side showed character and managed, for the first time this season, to avoid defeat in three consecutive Premier League matches. After beating Chelsea 3-1, the club drew twice – 3-3 at home with Liverpool and 1-1 away at Brentford. Nevertheless, the win against Chelsea remains their only victory in seven league matches (2 draws and 4 defeats). Leeds sit 17th in the table, three points above the relegation zone. It's also notable that the club has conceded in each of their previous 13 league games.
- There have been goals at both ends in the club's last six Premier League matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Leeds’ last 8 Premier League games.
- The team is unbeaten in 6 of their last 8 home league games (3 wins and 3 draws).
Predicted Leeds lineup (3-5-2)
Lucas Perry – Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk – Ao Tanaka, Jayden Jan Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson – Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Forwards Lukas Nmecha and Daniel James, along with midfielder Sean Longstaff, are sidelined with injuries.
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner's side suffered their first heavy defeat of the current campaign in the last round, going down 0-3 at home to Manchester City. The club also failed to score for the fifth time this season. Despite that setback, Palace remain high in the table in fifth, just two points shy of the top four. The defensive unit deserves mention too — they are currently the second-best in the league in terms of goals conceded, with 15 shipped.
- In their last 22 Premier League matches the Londoners have lost just 4 (9 wins and 9 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of Crystal Palace’s last 8 league meetings.
- The club is unbeaten in 9 of their last 11 away Premier League matches (6 wins and 3 draws).
Predicted Crystal Palace lineup (4-3-3)
Dean Henderson – Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi – Tyrick Mitchell, Nathaniel Clyne, Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton – Jeremy Pino, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaïla Sarr.
Midfielders Kaleb Cropa and Cheick Doucoure, plus defenders Chadi Riad and Daniel Munoz, will miss the game through injury. Midfielder Ismaïla Sarr has been called up to his national team.
Referee:
Thomas Bramall (England)
Matches – 9 (Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 22%.
Prediction for Leeds – Crystal Palace
It is quite possible that the London side will struggle to take three points in this fixture. Palace face a congested schedule and will play three matches in five days, which is likely to take its toll after a midweek European tie. Leeds, by contrast, arrive in good physical condition, having produced three very decent league performances recently, and will enjoy home advantage where they have lost just twice in their previous eight Premier League games.
I expect goals at both ends. Daniel Farke's side have a six-game scoring run at Elland Road in the league and have conceded in each of those home matches. Crystal Palace have scored in 15 of their last 18 away Premier League games. The sides met twice in 2022/23 and both encounters featured goals at both ends.
My prediction – Both teams to score – Yes
* Each predicted starting XI reflects the team’s lineup from their most recent match in this competition.
