Leeds United have navigated a very tough fixture schedule in the last few weeks. Many expected them to find it difficult to gain even a point during this run, but the Whites have pulled off two upsets in their last two games.
Leeds beat Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road, with the Blues unable to cope with the directness and intensity of Daniel Farke’s new 3-5-2 system. The German switched to this shape in the second half of the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City at the Eithad. But the shape did not really get the same results when the Whites faced Arne Slot’s Liverpool side.
| Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | Home | 3-3 Draw |
| Chelsea | Home | 3-1 Win |
| Manchester City | Away | 2-3 Loss |
| Aston Villa | Home | 2-1 Loss |
Leeds found themselves 2-0 down in the second half, before Farke made the bold decision to take off a defender and add another body up top. The Whites rallied from behind twice and were able to grab a 3-3 draw.
Crystal Palace boss hands Leeds United huge advantage with latest admission
Farke’s men have three games left in December, with a relatively calmer schedule from now till the New Year. Leeds will face Brentford, Crystal Palace and Sunderland. These three games look like matches that the Whites can take some crucial points from in their fight for survival.
| Competition | Opponent | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|
| Conference League | Shelbourne | Away |
| Premier League | Manchester City | Home |
| Conference League | KuPS | Home |
| Premier League | Leeds United | Away |
Now, the club have been handed an even bigger boost after Palace boss Oliver Glasner admits he may rest players when the two sides meet in nine days time:
“It would be a little bit easier to rest 10 or 12 players for the KuPS game next week,” Glasner said in the Eagle’s press conference ahead of their Conference League tie.
“I won’t start anybody on Thursday evening and then on Saturday evening [at Leeds] because I feel responsible for the players’ welfare.
“This would make it a little bit easier with a win.”
The Whites have a huge advantage now
After playing Brentford this weekend, Leeds will have a whole week to rest and prepare ahead of facing Crystal Palace. The Eagles on the other hand do not have that luxury; they play four games between Thursday and next week Saturday when they face Leeds.
This puts Glasner’s side at a heavy disadvantage heading into the tie. Hopefully Daniel Farke and his men can capitalize on this and get some crucial points on the board when they host the London club next week.
