Leeds United welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Sunday, with the two sides heading into the Premier League clash in very different circumstances.
Daniel Farke’s team will be brimming with confidence after their impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Monday, a result that extended their unbeaten start to the league campaign.
Palace, meanwhile, have endured a difficult opening to the season, suffering three defeats from their first four Premier League matches. Their defensive problems have also been evident, with Pierre Sage’s side conceding far too many goals.
They enjoyed a much-needed boost midweek, thrashing Lech Poznan 4-0 at Selhurst Park in the Europa League on Thursday. However, taking on Leeds at a packed Elland Road will be a much tougher test.
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Chris Sutton makes stunning Daniel Farke and Leeds claim
The former Premier League winner has declared his love for Leeds and Daniel Farke in his weekend predictions and insisted that he doesn’t understand why he still has detractors in the Whites fanbase.
He insisted that, given the way Leeds are playing at the moment and Palace’s struggles under Sage, he cannot see past a win for the home side at Elland Road on Sunday.
The former striker predicted a 2-0 home win for Leeds.
Sutton said on BBC Sport: “I think I am in love with Leeds boss Daniel Farke. What a guy.
“We were talking about him on the Monday Night Club before Leeds walloped Newcastle, and only idiots question whether he is the right man to move the club forward now.
“To see them beat Newcastle, and how emphatically they did it, was massive and more proof of their progress.
“In contrast, Crystal Palace are almost on the precipice after their shaky start under new manager Pierre Sage, and I just don’t see the Eagles getting anything here.
“Leeds are so well organised at the back with new goalkeeper James Trafford, who is an upgrade on last season, and a new centre-half I like too, in Tarik Muharemovic.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is flying up front, as well. He is fit, motivated and a real handful, which is another reason I can’t see past a Leeds victory.”
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Leeds must win on Sunday
The Whites have not lost a Premier League game this season, and the run must extend on Sunday to back up the hype around the club after the win over Newcastle.
Palace are struggling for form, and while one of their top attackers is back in the squad for the clash, Leeds should still have enough to win all three points.
The visitors can’t stop conceding goals, and an early goal for the home side on Sunday could open the floodgates and lead to another big win.
More importantly, the talk of Europe around Leeds means they should be beating struggling teams at Elland Road to show they are ready for the step up.
