Crystal Palace vs Leeds United
Now here are two Premier League clubs who have shown glimpses of tangible progress in recent years.
Just being at English football’s top table consistently is a fine achievement when you consider the investment it takes to stay there, let alone improve.
Yet that is what both Crystal Palace and Leeds United have managed to achieve at times; a mixture of development coupled with setbacks along the way.
This weekend they aim to deliver Premier League highlights and, most importantly of all, Premier League points in a bid to climb into the top half of the table.
Talking Points
Granted Palace, for all their promise, are only outside the relegation zone courtesy of goal difference but they have had a tough start to the campaign and have a game in hand on most of the sides immediately in front of them.
Last weekend, they pushed Chelsea all the way and were somewhat unfortunate to lose in the final moments, playing their part in an exciting game but unable to put their opponents’ defence under enough pressure.
The Eagles, who have already played Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City so far this term, also suffered a blow when they lost Nathaniel Clyne to a serious-looking injury.
He will miss this weekend’s encounter against a Leeds team looking to keep four consecutive clean sheets against an opponent for only the fourth time in the Premier League – also doing so against Aston Villa (March 1994 – August 1995), Middlesbrough (August 1998 – February 2000) and Southampton (April 1996 – September 1997).
Clyne joins goalkeeper Jack Butland, Joachim Andersen, Nathan Fergsuon and James McArthur on the sidelines – none of whom are guaranteed to recover in time.
Leeds will also be without one of their big names after Colombia winger Luis Sinisterra was sent off during last weekend’s goalless draw with Aston Villa.
The 23 year-old, a £21 million summer signing from Feyenoord, had enjoyed a promising start to his time in Yorkshire until two quick bookings – a foul on John McGinn and then blocking the ball when Douglas Luiz tried to take a quick free-kick – soured his weekend.
The man in the middle this weekend is Paul Tierney and, with both teams eager for points, one suspects he will have a busy afternoon.
The Eagles have a winning record in the Premier League stretching back five years when Tierney has officiated their games. A lucky omen perhaps?
History
Until two seasons ago – a match I covered for SBOTOP and which Palace won with a convincing and entertaining display – these two sides had not met in the top flight since 1998.
It was January of that year when Rod Wallace and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored inside the first 13 minutes to seal a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park in a season in which the Eagles were relegated.
By the time Palace were promoted back to the top-flight in 2004, they swapped places as Leeds went down at the same time and had not been back until 2020.
They did, however, meet six times in the Championship between 2006 and 2013 (when Palace were promoted).
Two seasons ago, there was that 4-1 home win followed by a 2-0 success for Leeds at Elland Road when Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford were the goal-getters.
Then last November, a late Raphinha penalty earned the Yorkshire club another 1-0 win.
The corresponding fixture last April ended goalless at Selhurst Park and the sides also met in a fairly feisty pre-season friendly in Perth when Rodrigo and Jean-Philippe Mateta traded second half goals.
Overall, Palace have beaten the Yorkshire club 18 times, 17 meetings have ended all square and Leeds have won on 31 occasions.
Betting Tip
Two statistics here help my tip with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.
They are the fact that Palace have failed to score in their past three Premier League matches against Leeds since that 4-1 home win in November 2020.
Also the fact that Leeds have not won in their past six visits to Selhurst Park in the league, after a three-match winning run between 1994 and 2006.
The law of averages suggests something has to give this weekend and I think it will be the former.
Among the options you can consider are Palace 1X2 @ 2.11, Leeds 1X2 @ 3.25 or the draw @ 3.50.
Asian Handicap bets include Palace -0.75 @ 2.49, Leeds +0.25 @ 2.08, while there are the usual array of goal options such as Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.55, 2-3 @ 1.91, 4-6 @ 3.30 and Over 2.75 goals @ 2.08.
A repeat of last season’s goalless draw in this fixture is on offer @ 10.50 with Correct Score.
After pushing Chelsea until the closing stages last weekend, I think Palace will recover from their disappointment and bounce back.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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