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By @jonnychick__.
Leeds United welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Monday night for the first time since November 2012.
The Whites will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at home to Everton last Wednesday night. Goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Gylfi Sigurdsson were enough to secure the Toffees their first win at Elland Road since November 2002 and end Leeds' two game-winning run.
Despite the defeat, Leeds showed plenty of quality, particularly in their response in the second half, and will no doubt be looking the take the positives from that performance into the clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Brazilian winger Raphinha was a bright spark for Leeds in the game, netting his fourth goal of the season. The 24-year-old has continued to look impressive since signing from Rennes in early October and looks a steal at £17 million.
A win for Leeds on Monday night would see them venture into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time since October, and go 17 points clear of the relegation zone.
Speaking about Leeds' positioning in the table, Head Coach Marcelo Bielsa said: "The most important thing is how we play, which allows us to finish where in the table.
"If you finish eighth by not playing well, for me, that’s worse than finishing 12th and playing well, but it’s also true by playing well it’s easier to finish higher up the table. I hope we are able to play well and advance up the table." (Leeds Live)
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace head into the game on the back of two-straight wins, with their most recent coming at St James' Park last Tuesday evening.
Like Leeds, Palace ran out 1-2 winners at Newcastle United courtesy of goals from Jaïro Riedewald and Gary Cahill. Victories over Wolves and Newcastle have meant that Roy Hodgson's side have won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Bielsa was full of praise for Roy Hodgson in this week's press conference, saying: "The career of Roy Hodgson only deserves praise, recognition.
"To have the desire to extend his career so long is something to admire. Not only to do it, but to do it well." (Leeds Live)
Crystal Palace currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League table on 29 points, level on points with Leeds United. The Eagles however have played two more games than the Whites.
TEAM NEWS
Leeds United pair Rodrigo (groin) and Ian Poveda (ankle) are set to miss the next few weeks after picking up injuries.
Defender Gaetano Berardi will return to training on Monday after facing seven months on the sidelines due to a knee injury he picked up during United's 1-3 win at Derby Country in July.
One man who has been talked about recently is Spanish midfielder, Pablo Hernandez, amid reports linking him with a move away from West Yorkshire and a return to Spain.
Hernandez is regarded as one of Leeds United's best signings. He played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to the Premier League, however, this season he has found himself struggling for game time.
It was reported that Castellon approached Hernandez in January but Leeds rejected the move. The Segunda Liga strugglers are expected to make a fresh move in the summer and an exit would come as no surprise considering Hernandez is a part-owner of Castellon.
The 35-year-old came on as a substitute during Leeds' defeat to Everton, with Marcelo Bielsa believing Hernandez still has something to offer the team. He said: "If I didn't think Pablo had the same possibilities as his team-mates and, specifically, those who play in his position, I wouldn’t have wanted him to be a part of the group especially because we're a group of few players.
"I wouldn't have picked a player to be part of the squad if I didn't think he offered solutions."
Pablo Hernandez will be hoping for a rare start on Monday evening in the absence of the injured Rodrigo.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace will be without top goalscorer Wilfried Zaha after he sustained a hamstring injury at Newcastle. Zaha has nine goals in all competitions this season and the Eagles' next best finisher sits on just three.
Hodgson, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "We don't know how long it's going to keep him out but he certainly won't be available for this game and it could even be much longer than that."
Zaha's injury adds to a long list of players who are unavailable for Crystal Palace: Hennessy, Ferguson, Wickham, Sakho, Tomkins, and Schlupp.
James McArthur and Joel Ward both face fitness tests over the weekend, but January signing Jean-Philippe Mateta is available and could make his debut.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
- Crystal Palace beat Leeds United 4-1 at Selhurst Park in November. The Eagles are looking to complete a league double over Leeds for the first time since the 1985/96 season.
- Palace last visited Elland Road in November 2012, where goals from Luciano Becchio and Paul Green secured a 2-1 for Neil Warnock's Leeds United side. Crystal Palace have lost on each of their past five trips to Elland Road in all competitions.
- Leeds United have won eight of the last 10 meetings in all competitions, with the other two games drawn.
- This will be the 64th meeting between the two clubs. Leeds have won 29 of the previous battles, Palace have won 18 and there have been 16 draws.
MATCH INFORMATION
Leeds United vs. Crystal Palace
English Premier League
20:00 Monday 8th February 2021
Elland Road
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