Leeds United predicted line-up vs Crystal Palace: Farke makes bold selection call with no-changes dilemma

Leeds United head into the Gameweek 5 of the 2026/27 Premier League season with an ideal opportunity to continue their impressive rise up the table, when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. The Whites battered Newcastle United 4-1 earlier in the week, with a gusty performance seeing Daniel Farke’s side rise to fourth in the league table.

Palace have lost three of their four Premier League matches so far this season, but produced an impressive 4-0 win over Lech Poznan in the Europa League in midweek. Leeds haven’t lost at home to the south London side since 2023, when Roy Hodgson’s side stunned Elland Road by thrashing their opponents 5-1.

Heading into their next game, Leeds have a relatively clean bill of health, with only a couple of pre-existing injury concerns to contend with. Free agent bargain signing Harry Wilson - who was part of a recruitment drive that made our best five 2026 summer transfer windows list - will be out until after the international break with a thigh injury.

His international teammate, Joe Rodon, may have to wait a little longer to make his return, with a late October comeback likely after the defender suffered a hamstring injury. Versatile forward Mateo Joseph, who spent last season out on loan at Mallorca, will be out until at least late January with an ACL injury.

As Leeds continue their final preparations ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Eagles, we’ve got the most likely starting XI Farke will field at Elland Road.

Leeds United predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: goalkeeper and defence

James Trafford, who could well be set to become England’s next number one when Jordan Pickford eventually retires, will be between the sticks for Leeds on Sunday. He’s been an excellent addition to Daniel Farke’s side, and plenty of the Whites’ Premier League rivals may be regretting not signing him themselves in the last transfer window.

Farke will stick with his favoured 3-5-2 formation against Palace, and look to overpower them in midfield as they did against Newcastle. With Rodon out until after the international break, Swiss star Nico Elvedi will continue to deputise in the back three. He joined in a bargain £8.5m deal from Borussia Monchengladbach back in mid-August.

Elvedi will be flanked by powerhouse Tarik Muharemovic and James Justin, who has impressed in a relatively unfamiliar role. The former has arguably been Leeds’ best player so far this season, taking to the robust nature of Premier League football like a duck to water after joining in a £34m deal from Sassuolo.

Leeds United predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: midfield and attack

Leeds skipper Ethan Ampadu will once again lead out the side on Sunday afternoon, as he prepares to make his 114th league appearance for the Whites. His relentless energy and slick passing have seen him impress in midfield after previously being deployed as a central defender.

Alongside Ampadu, Farke will most likely stick with Ao Tanaka - who has come on leaps and bounds from his early days at the club - and Anton Stach, who runs Muharemovic close when it comes to being considered Leeds’ most impressive player so far this season. At a little over £17m, he’s looking like more of a bargain by the day. In the wing-back positions Jayden Bogle will start on the right and Gabriel Gudmundsson will fly down the opposite flank.

Up top, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will look to add to the brace he netted against Newcastle. He was initially deemed to have only score one goal, but a subsequent review identified that Bogle didn’t touch the ball on its way into the net. Calvert-Lewin will be paired with Noah Okafor, making it an unchanged XI to take on the Eagles.

Leeds United predicted XI: Trafford; Muharemovic, Elvedi, Justin; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Gudmundson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

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