Match Information
Our pre-match preview Written before kick-off — see what we expected from this match
Match Overview
Leeds host Crystal Palace at Elland Road on September 20, 2026 in Regular Season - 5, a fixture that pits a side sitting third in the table against opponents currently 16th. With the season only five matchdays old, this early-campaign gap already highlights contrasting trajectories for both clubs as they look to establish patterns for the months ahead.
Leeds arrive on the back of a 4-1 home win over Newcastle on September 14, a result that underlines a potent attacking output and reinforces their position near the top of the table. That victory came sandwiched around a 6-3 League Cup defeat to Chelsea on September 9, which should be viewed purely as a fixture-list factor rather than any reflection of league form or morale, given the differing context of cup football. In the Premier League specifically, Leeds have won one, drawn two, and won their most recent outing, suggesting a side building momentum under D. Farke.
Crystal Palace, by contrast, have had a mixed opening to the campaign. Their 2-3 defeat to Ipswich on September 12 came right after a League Cup win over Middlesbrough, and their league form shows a win at Fulham on September 5 sandwiched between defeats to Manchester City and Everton. The inconsistency in Palace's results, three losses in five league-adjacent matches, paints a picture of a team still searching for stability under P. Sage, which contrasts with Leeds' more settled recent league output.
No injuries are reported for either squad, meaning both managers should have full selection options to work with heading into this match. That leaves tactical selection and current form, rather than absentees, as the defining variables. With Leeds well-placed in third and Palace looking to arrest a difficult start from 16th, both sides carry meaningful incentive at Elland Road.
Predicted Lineups
Leeds
J. Trafford; J. Justin, N. Elvedi, T. Muharemović; J. Bogle, A. Stach, E. Ampadu, A. Tanaka, G. Gudmundsson; D. Calvert-Lewin, N. Okafor
Crystal Palace
W. Benítez; C. Richards, A. Disasi, H. Ahanor; A. Khalaili, Q. Timber, A. Wharton, T. Mitchell, D. Kamada, Yeremy Pino; J. Strand Larsen
Team Form Analysis
Leeds
League Position: 3Leeds Form Analysis
Leeds enter this fixture with encouraging momentum in the Premier League. Their most recent league outing produced a 4-1 home win over Newcastle on September 14, showcasing strong attacking output with four goals scored. Before that, they drew 1-1 away at Brighton on September 5 and 1-1 at home to Brentford on August 30, results that suggest a team capable of taking points against varied opposition even when not at their sharpest. A League Cup defeat to Chelsea on September 9, in which they conceded six, stands apart from their league form and should be weighed differently given the cup context. Across their last three Premier League matches, Leeds have avoided defeat, scoring six goals while showing they can also grind out draws against tougher away opponents. That blend of attacking productivity and resilience, combined with their third-place league position, points to a side finding its rhythm as the season progresses under D. Farke.
Crystal Palace
League Position: 16Crystal Palace Form Analysis
We explore the matchup further in our check the full breakdown.
Crystal Palace's recent form has been inconsistent. Their most recent Premier League match ended in a 2-3 home defeat to Ipswich on September 12, continuing a pattern of defensive vulnerability. Earlier in the month they claimed an away win at Fulham, 2-3 on September 5, but this followed back-to-back league losses to Manchester City (1-4 on August 28) and Everton (2-0 on August 22). A League Cup win over Middlesbrough on September 8 offered a positive result, though it sits outside their league form. Across their last four Premier League matches, Palace have shown they can score goals, netting in every fixture, but their defensive record has been the bigger concern, having conceded multiple goals in three of their last four top-flight outings. Sitting 16th in the table, Palace's form under P. Sage reflects a team still seeking consistency, particularly in shutting out stronger attacking sides.
Head-to-Head
Leeds
Crystal Palace
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | Crystal Palace | 0 - 0 | Leeds |
| 2025-12-20 | Leeds | 4 - 1 | Crystal Palace |
| 2023-04-09 | Leeds | 1 - 5 | Crystal Palace |
| 2022-10-09 | Crystal Palace | 2 - 1 | Leeds |
| 2022-07-22 | Crystal Palace | 1 - 1 | Leeds |
| 2022-04-25 | Crystal Palace | 0 - 0 | Leeds |
| 2021-11-30 | Leeds | 1 - 0 | Crystal Palace |
| 2021-02-08 | Leeds | 2 - 0 | Crystal Palace |
| 2020-11-07 | Crystal Palace | 4 - 1 | Leeds |
| 2013-03-09 | Crystal Palace | 2 - 2 | Leeds |
Memorable Matches
The history between these two clubs has produced some striking scorelines. On 2025-12-20, Leeds delivered a commanding 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, one of the more emphatic results in the fixture's recent history. The reverse was true on 2023-04-09, when Crystal Palace ran out 5-1 winners at Leeds, a heavy scoreline that stands out in the rivalry's records. More recently, on 2026-03-15, the two sides played out a goalless 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, showing the fixture can also be a tightly contested affair. These contrasting results, big wins on both sides alongside tense stalemates, reflect an unpredictable head-to-head dynamic between the clubs.
Venue Factor
Elland Road provides the setting for this Regular Season - 5 clash, with Leeds hosting as they sit third in the table. Home advantage carries added weight given Leeds' recent league form, including a 4-1 win over Newcastle at this venue on September 14. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, travel to Yorkshire off the back of a difficult run that includes away trips to Everton and Fulham earlier in the campaign. The atmosphere at Elland Road is often cited as a significant factor for Leeds, and with the club competing near the top of the table, supporters will be keen to add to that home momentum. For Palace, sitting 16th, picking up any positive result away from home would represent a valuable step in stabilizing their season.
Injury Concerns
Leeds
Crystal Palace
