please log in to view this image Crystal Palace v Leeds Utd Monday 25th [email protected] - Selhurst Park After a refreshing sixteen-day break, Leeds are finally back in action. They travel to Selhurst Park on Monday evening, home of Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace. A 94th minute Raphinha penalty separated the two sides when they last met at the beginning of December, and the Frenchman will be eager to even the score. Leeds have been dealt a massive blow after hearing that midfielder Adam Forshaw fractured the kneecap in training (and it's all Bielsa's fault). The 30yo is expected to be sidelined for six weeks, which will rule him out for the rest of the season. It remains to be seen whether Kalvin Phillips will be fit to play 90 minutes, though worse case scenario, Robin Koch could also deputise. Junior Firpo has overcome his knee injury, and is fit to start should he be selected. The 25yo was expected to miss the rest of the season having been stretchered off at Villa Park six weeks ago, but Rob Price and his team have been working around the clock to ensure a quicker than normal return to action. Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic is unlikely to recover from tweaking his hamstring in the FA Cup Semi final defeat against Chelsea last Sunday. Nathan Ferguson will join his on the sidelines after aggravating a thigh injury. Palace have lost three games on the spin, (Leicester City, Chelsea and Newcastle), and have slipped to 14th in the table, four points ahead of the Whites. Leeds fans will be hoping they don't fall foul of the London curse - Leeds have only won three games in the last 20 visits to London.
Got loads of time for Viera, after-all he rang my nephew and convinced him to take the head groundsman job at Nice. He left and my nephew left at Xmas after completely re-engineering the Stadium and the training complex. Nice aee now playing on a top surface and will be in Europe next season. Nephew now in charge of UK and Europe as Director of one of the top sports “Surface” companies in the world. He left the FA and St Georges Park to follow Viera to Nice. Unfortunately Viera will look silly on Monday as Joffy scores his first hat-trick. Viera has not had a rilliant season its a media fallacy as he has only won 8 games, so have Leeds and we had no team available until March
thing is, when you watch them (not true at Newcastle) in general they look a good side. They looked good at our place. Maybe more relevant is their home form has been good. Last 2 home games, draw with city and beat arsenal.
Palace are like many teams, including us, who are hit and miss. When they are good they are very good but when they are bad they are like Norwich. Hopefully they have an off day and we have a good day.
I think it will be a draw, spoiling our 100% record in London in the league in 2022 but preserving our unbeaten record
Sounds like they are worried about Olise fitness. He has been their best player this year. Hopefully they don't risk him.
Man utd losing is good news for us. West ham at chelsea tomorrow so tricky for them. Burnley host wolves who now stand a real chance of getting in the euro spots.
-------------------Meslier------------------ Ayling----Koch-----Cooper---Firpo -----------Dallas----Phillips------------ Raphinha--------------------Harrison -----------Gelhardt--Rodrigo--------- That's what I would do. Let;s see how Firpo gets on under Marsch. I'd love to see Gelhardt start, though Marsch is likely to go for James, due to his speed, and the fact he tracks back. I'd drop Llorente, just because I haven't been impressed with him, and give his spot to Koch. I think Harrison has scored 3 in 4, so obviously can't drop him.
I agree somewhat but not with Firpo. Koch instead of Llorente is sensible enough but I don't think he will do that. I think it will be... -------------------Meslier------------------ Ayling----Llorente-----Cooper---Dallas -----------Klich----Phillips------------ Raphinha--------------------Harrison -----------James--Rodrigo---------
Agree with that lineup. Firpo is useless at the best of times, I’d hate to see what he’s like after a few weeks out - especially with the likes of Zaha, Eze and Olise running at him. If he’s in at left back they’re bound to target him. It'll be embarrassing.
think emu is saying what he thinks marsch will pick rather than what he personally would pick - and it looks the most likely line up to me too.
As milkyboy says. That was the line up I think Marsch will go with. Personally I'd like Gelhardt/Greewood to start up top with Rodrigo in support. I don't really see the point of Koch in midfield if Phillips is fit. It's a shame Forshaw isn't available as him and Phillips together is our strongest pair. There isn't any other option than Klich at this point but it concerns me as Palace have plenty of pacey individuals and I think it will be easy to bypass Klich through the middle.
Koch is a player I can't decide on. On paper, he should be putting in better perfoemances for us. Qestion - If we had a 15m offer for Koch in the Summer. Accept or not?
I'd take a point now. The Eagles have a decent squad Think our Defences are equal Their midfield is better than ours and their wide men could rip us apart but saying that our wide men could rip them apart. It's how much do they want it. their last game at Newcastle they were just going through the motions after their Semi FA Cup loss. Viera will not let them slack and he will want to put 3 defeats on the trot right. Tough game but I'd rather be going here than to places like Liverpool and City. Our goal difference is dead and finished. it's about keeping 1 point ahead now
