ROY HODGSON'S second coming at Crystal Palace got off to the perfect start with a win over Leicester and if he can follow it up with an Easter Sunday triumph at Leeds United it will take the Eagles soaring away from the drop zone.
Patrick Vieira was axed after a nightmare run of 13 games without a victory dragged Palace into a nine-club fight against the drop in the Premier League. The man the Frenchman had replaced was then summoned back for another spell at the helm ahead of a vital six-game spell that would see the Eagles take on most of their drop rivals.
Hodgson couldn't have asked for a more dramatic start to his Selhurst Park return as a stoppage-time goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta sealed a 2-1 victory over the Foxes as another bet landed for our man Slips Tips.
That moved Crystal Palace up to 12th place but they are still just three points clear of the drop zone in one of the most incredible relegation battles the Premier League has ever seen.
Leeds United ended the weekend in the bottom three after a battering by Arsenal but moved up to 13th on Tuesday by winning another six-pointer at home to Nottingham Forest.
The Elland Road crowd is helping to keep their heads above water, with Leeds losing just one of their last seven on home soil, and new boss Javi Gracia will be hoping to claim more precious points when Palace come calling.
How the bookies view it
Leeds' impressive home form makes them favourites for this one at a best 57/50 with BetUK. Crystal Palace are 11/4 with Coral while the draw pays 5/2 at SpreadEx.
Recent head to head
There has been nothing between these sides since Leeds returned to the Premier League in 2020 with two wins apiece and one draw. Leeds won 1-0 when Palace came calling last season but lost 2-1 at Selhurst Park when these sides faced off earlier in this campaign.
Players to watch
Jack Harrison is bang in form for Leeds United with three goals in his last four outings. The American winger is 5/1 at William Hill for another strike here.
The loss of talisman Wilf Zaha is a blow for Cyrstal Palace and someone else will need to step up to deliver some magic. Eberechi Eze was restored to the line-up for Hodgson's first game back and his free-kick forced an own goal from keeper Dan Iversen. The playmaker is 6/1 at Unibet for anytime scorer here and that looks a little overpriced. He's also 5/4 with Unibet just to have a shot on target and that seems well worth a punt.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's easy to see where the problem lies for Leeds as they haven't kept a clean sheet in their last six matches. Crystal Palace have struggled for goals all season but should get chances against Gracia's men so I fancy BTTS at 19/20 with Bet365. Over 2.5 goals is a little better at 23/20 with BetVictor.
Seven yellows were flashed in Palace's last game and it could be another busy day for the ref with so much at stake. Over 4.5 cards pays 11/10 at Bet365 while Eagles stopper Joachim Andersen is a tempting 7/2 with the same firm for an eighth card this term.
This English Premier League match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace will be played on Apr 9, 2023 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Leeds United vs Crystal Palace prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
