Leeds United host Crystal Palace on Sunday and will expect to build on their recent momentum against an Eagles side with three defeats in their first four Premier League games this season.
Palace were in Europa League action on Thursday night, smashing Polish side Lech Poznań 4-0, but Daniel Farke refused suggestions the Whites can afford to let their standards slip against a potentially tired opponent.
“Good for their confidence, played a flawless game,” Farke said of Palace’s midweek outing. “Relatively easy game for them, not much travelling. Don’t think there was any distraction, just good for confidence. We expect a difficult opponent.”
Leeds vs Crystal Palace team news
Leeds appear to have avoided any fresh fitness concerns heading into the weekend, with Joe Rodon the only confirmed absentee.
Ilia Gruev could be in contention after turning out for the U21s last week, while any worries over Gabriel Gudmundsson were eased on Monday, with his discomfort put down to cramp rather than anything more serious.
The other talking point is whether Jean-Matteo Bahoya could be handed his first involvement since his deadline-day arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Leeds manager was candid about the balancing act of bringing a young player into a new league at the right moment, revealing just how close the winger had come to featuring in the League Cup defeat to Chelsea.
“Very close, in Chelsea five seconds away from coming on,” Farke said, admitting that the pressure on new signings both physically and mentally has contributed to the youngster’s lack of minutes so far.
“Came from the bench at the end of last season. Have to look after them, make sure they’re well prepared when I throw them into Premier League. It’s unforgivable.
“A poor performance on debut and they can be buried. Have to make sure they’re ready. Jean Matteo is a top character, not the highest confidence or physical fitness level to start, but you can see him grow day to day on the training pitch. All chances to be involved.”
Bahoya arrived at Elland Road as Leeds’ seventh and final signing of the summer, joining on loan with an obligation to buy reported to be worth around £20m plus add-ons. The 21-year-old racked up five goals and seven assists across 59 Bundesliga outings for Frankfurt.
Player | Nationality | Previous Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
James Trafford | England | Manchester City | £40m |
Tarik Muharemovic | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sassuolo | £34m |
Nico Elvedi | Switzerland | Borussia Mönchengladbach | £8.5m |
Michael Zetterer | Germany | Eintracht Frankfurt | £4.3m |
Harry Wilson | Wales | Fulham | Free |
Jean-Mattéo Bahoya | France | Eintracht Frankfurt | Loan |
Melvin Bard | France | OGC Nice | Loan |
His standout attribute is his searing pace – he set the outright German top flight’s sprint speed record during the 2024/25 campaign, hitting 23.09mph, a figure comparable to Usain Bolt’s average speed during his 100m world record.
Only a handful of players in Premier League history have ever been clocked quicker, so it’s clear strength and durability is the issue in Farke’s mind when he talks about physical readiness.
Bahoya by position | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Left Winger | 51 | 8 | 6 |
Attacking Midfield | 16 | 2 | 4 |
Right Winger | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Centre-Forward | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Left Midfield | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Second Striker | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The bulk of his output has come from the left flank in Germany, though the numbers in attacking midfield show he can operate centrally too, giving Farke some tactical flexibility if he does decide to throw him into the mix at some stage this weekend.
With the international break looming straight after this game, Leeds will be eager to take some momentum into the three-week gap, a longer-than-usual pause that Farke is already thinking about how to use productively.
“Allow ourselves to recover but work continues,” he said. “Just because no games doesn’t mean we don’t train. Several players here need my attention. Bit more time for details and youngster players. Of course a few days to recover.”
That extended window could prove significant for players like Bahoya, giving Farke valuable time on the training ground to get him fully up to speed before he’s needed for a prolonged run in the side.
Source: www.footballfancast.com
