Crystal Palace v Leeds predictions: Palace can pick up vital victory

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Crystal Palace v Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Crystal Palace
1pt 11-10 Betfred

Team news

Crystal Palace
Nathan Ferguson, Nathaniel Clyne (both ankle), Jack Butland (hand) and James McArthur (groin) are ruled out.

Leeds
Stuart Dallas (thigh), Archie Gray (toe) and Adam Forshaw (ankle) are injured and Luis Sinisterra serves a one-match ban.

Match preview

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has retained a cool head despite his team's slow start to the season and he can guide the Eagles to an important victory over Leeds at Selhurst Park.

Vieira's calmness is well-founded because Palace have played some decent football and looked nothing like relegation candidates despite starting the weekend 17th .

Four of Palace's opening seven matches have been against big-six opponents and there have been positives to take with Vieira's men impressing in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool and the 4-2 defeat at Manchester City.

They experienced another hard luck story at home to Chelsea last Saturday when a 90th-minute winner from Conor Gallagher, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Selhurst Park last term, settled the contest 2-1 in the Blues' favour.

Palace have gone close to claiming a couple of major scalps and if they can maintain their high standards, they should soon climb the table.

Sunday's home match against Leeds marks the start of an easier run of fixtures and it isn't fanciful to believe that Palace could be pushing towards the top half when the league pauses for the World Cup.

Leeds have had a kinder start but their tricky October schedule includes a home game with Arsenal and a visit to Liverpool.

Whites' manager Jesse Marsch has been showing his frustrations and was forced to watch last Sunday's goalless draw with Aston Villa from the Elland Road stands after picking up a touchline ban.

That point could be seen as a good one given Leeds played the majority of the second half with ten men after Luis Sinisterra's dismissal. However, it also marked a fourth game without a victory for the Yorkshire side, who are likely to be second best in south London.

Key stat

Leeds have conceded 28 goals in their last 13 league away games.

Inside info

Crystal Palace

Penalty taker Wilfried Zaha
Assist ace Michael Olise
Set-piece aerial threat Joachim Andersen
Card magnet Joel Ward

Leeds

Penalty taker Patrick Bamford
Assist ace Jack Harrison
Set-piece aerial threat Liam Cooper
Card magnet Rasmus Kristensen

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