Leeds United are just three points clear of the relegation zone and need a result when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Back-to-back home defeats against Manchester City and Sunderland, respectively, have dented Leeds’ relatively comfortable position, and they are again feeling the heat of a relegation battle.
With West Ham looking good and Nottingham Forest showing signs of life, Leeds will need a result on Sunday to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.
Oliver Glasner is aware of the difficulties his team will face against Leeds as they have already tasted defeat against Daniel Farke’s men at Elland Road this season.
‘Leeds punished us’ – Oliver Glasner opens up on facing the Whites
Palace will be in Europa Conference League action tonight when they take on AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their last 16 tie at Selhurst Park.
However, Oliver Glasner has one eye on the Leeds game, and he is pleased that the new signings from January are finally settling as he will need everyone to step up against the Whites.
He is expecting a physically intense battle against the Whites at Selhurst Park and is aware of the pain they caused at Elland Road earlier in the season.
Glasner told reporters: “The new players are really getting integrated [with the group] very well. It’s not one-way, it’s two-way, but it’s quite easy because the players who are here are great lads, and so are the new ones as well, so it’s maybe easier.
“It just gives us more options, and we need this now. We have a three-game week again, and are expecting a very physical and intense game against Leeds, where we got punished at Elland Road [in December].
“Therefore, we need all these options, and it’s good to have them.”
Europe is giving the Whites hope
Leeds lost back-to-back league games for the first time since November last week, though they were unfortunate to take nothing from their matches against Manchester City and Sunderland.
While the Whites have progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals, their immediate attention now turns to the Premier League as they prepare for a trip to London to face Crystal Palace this weekend.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |  Leeds United |
29 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 31 |
| 16 |  Tottenham Hotspur |
29 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 39 | 46 | -7 | 29 |
| 17 |  Nottingham Forest |
29 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 28 | 43 | -15 | 28 |
| 18 |  West Ham United |
29 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 35 | 54 | -19 | 28 |
| 19 |  Burnley |
29 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 32 | 58 | -26 | 19 |
| 20 |  Wolverhampton Wanderers |
30 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 22 | 52 | -30 | 16 |
Leeds will be aiming to bounce back with a strong result at Selhurst Park, and they could be handed a timely boost if Palace opt to rotate their squad.
The clash with Leeds sits between the two legs of Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League tie against AEK Larnaca.
Oliver Glasner’s side are considered among the favourites to win the competition, and with their Premier League position relatively comfortable, they have the flexibility to place greater emphasis on their European campaign.
Glasner has generally avoided heavy rotation this season, but he may decide to rest a few key players ahead of the second leg against Larnaca.
