Crystal Palace will aim to end their four-game winless run in the Premier League on Sunday when they welcome Leeds United at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last time out, slipping to 17th in the table. Their poor run of form has put Patrick Vieira under some pressure and he will be hoping to turn things around quickly.
Being just six points adrift of the Top Six, Vieira will feel there is a chance to improve starting from the game against Leeds United, who are 12th in the table after seven games.
Crystal Palace Team News
Nathaniel Clyne suffered an ankle injury against Chelsea last weekend and will miss the upcoming league fixture. Joachim Andersen missed the Chelsea game with a niggle but Vieira feels the defender will be available to face Leeds United.
Meanwhile, Chris Richards, Jack Butland, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson are all out for the long term.
Predicted Crystal Palace Lineup vs Leeds (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Vicente Guaita is Crystal Palace’s No.1 and should retain his place between the sticks on Sunday.
Defence
Patrick Vieira is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation and could make a couple of changes to his starting XI for this game. His first change is likely to come in defence, with fit-again Joachim Andersen walking back into the side. Andersen will resume his defensive partnership with Marc Guehi at the heart of the Eagles’ rearguard as they try to keep a clean sheet against Leeds this weekend.
Joel Ward, who deputised at centre-back in Andersen’s absence, will move back to his original position at right-back. Tyrick Mitchell has cemented his position at left-back, so expect no changes in that area of the pitch.
Midfield
Cheick Doucoure, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise will form the engine room for Vieira’s side. With Doucoure sitting at the base of the midfield three, Eze and Olise will be tasked to get more on the ball and create openings in the final third.
Vieira will want the young troika to be braver and competitive, on and off the ball, to dominate Leeds United at the centre of the pitch. Jeffrey Schlupp, Will Hughes and Luka Milivojevic should be solid midfield options to have on the bench.
Attack
Being the club’s main man in attack, Wilfried Zaha is a guaranteed starter on the left of a front three. A match-winner on his day, Zaha’s performance will play a pivotal role for Palace in getting the points against Leeds.
Odsonne Edouard will lead the line for the Eagles. After netting against Chelsea last time out, he will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet for the second weekend running. Jordan Ayew is expected to occupy the right-wing berth.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Malcolm Ebiowei will have to be content with a spot on the bench as they hope to impress when called upon in the second half.
