English Premier
2025-12-20 - Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 20th December 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Leeds United
A change in system saw a much improved second half performance at the Etihad Stadium, although Daniel Farke's Leeds United were not able to earn a positive result. However, it has given the team some momentum and Leeds United are on an unbeaten run ahead of the final match before Christmas Day.
Recent results have been positive for Leeds United and means they are 17th in the Premier League table and 3 points clear of the bottom three. The side have picked up 16 points this season and the large majority have been earned at Elland Road where Leeds United have a 3-3-2 record in the top flight.
Leeds United 'won' the second half against Manchester City and they are unbeaten in 3 Premier League games since the 3-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, while they have earned 5 points from a possible 9. They have lost 1 of the last 4 League games played at Elland Road and Leeds United have won twice in that time, while also fighting back to earn a 3-3 draw with Liverpool.
Sean Longstaff and Daniel James are out with injury, while Lukas Nmecha is a doubt.
Crystal Palace
A fixture pile up around Christmas Day has meant Oliver Glasner has needed to make some big decisions with his team selections. Wholesale changes were made to the starting eleven on Thursday against KuPS in the Conference League, but failure to win that fixture means Crystal Palace have to go through the Play Off Knock Out tie in February after failing to finish in the top eight.
Oliver Glasner will feel he had to ring the changes after the club requested this Premier League game to be played just forty-eight hours after the game against KuPS. The Eagles are 5th in the Premier League tale and there is a real belief that they could put together a really special season, although Glasner will want to bring in more players to build up a limited squad.
Crystal Palace had won 3 in a row in all competitions before the thumping 0-3 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday and have followed up with a 2-2 draw in Europe. Both of those games were played at Selhurst Park, but Crystal Palace will be making the trip to Yorkshire knowing they have won 3 away games in a row in all competitions.
Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada are both out with injury. Key players will be restored to the starting eleven for this big League game.
Head to Head
In the 2022/23 season, Crystal Palace did the League double over Leeds United in this Division.
Leeds United had won 7 in a row at Elland Road against Crystal Palace before the thumping 1-5 defeat in April 2023.
Prediction
The progress in the League Cup meant Crystal Palace were in an unenviable position as a club also playing in the Conference League Group Stage, which came to a conclusion this past Thursday.
Those fixtures were played at the same time as the League Cup Quarter Final, which meant Crystal Palace requesting for this Premier League game to be played on Saturday so they have the same preparation time as opponents Arsenal for the upcoming Cup tie.
It is far from an ideal situation and Oliver Glasner made it clear that the Crystal Palace position is one of disappointment to be left in without much recourse.
Dropping points to KuPS in the Conference League means Crystal Palace have two extra Knock Out ties to be played in February 2026, which is again not very ideal if they keep progressing in the Cup competitions.
For now the focus is for the key players to return to action and try and put Crystal Palace in a position to win this game and make sure they are still in touch with the top four places in the Premier League.
The Eagles have been very good away from home this season as they have taken advantage of the fact that hosts are expected to get forward and create chances. They have won 3 away games in a row in all competitions and Crystal Palace were big winners when last visiting Elland Road in April 2023 so they will be playing with some real confidence.
However, Crystal Palace are also visiting Leeds United at a difficult time with Daniel Farke's team showing real improvement over the last three weeks.
Changing the system has certainly helped and Leeds United are a team that have gotten forward and found a positive route to goal. They have scored six goals in picking up four points against Chelsea and Liverpool at Elland Road in December, and Leeds United have impressed when they have gotten forward.
There are vulnerabilities at the back, which Crystal Palace will feel they can expose even without Ismaila Sarr, while Oliver Glasner's tactics do make The Eagles hard to beat.
A draw looks a real runner, but Leeds United can be backed on any 'draw no bet' market, in this case the Asian Handicap, as they should be more prepared and look to be playing with a bit more confidence in the final third.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Leeds United 2-1 Crystal Palace
