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Matthew Hobkinson

Leeds United vs Crystal Palace prediction sees pundits back Whites for huge relegation clash

Leeds United face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon (2pm GMT) for another vital relegation clash in the Premier League.

The Whites came from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Elland Road on Tuesday night and now find themselves as high as 13th. The congested nature of the bottom-half of the table means that Leeds are just two points from safety, but they are heading in the right direction under Javi Gracia.

Palace meanwhile also won a crucial game against Leicester City last time out, but come into this weekend's clash without talisman forward Wilfried Zaha. Should Leeds claim all three points against the Eagles, they would leapfrog them in the table and could find themselves just seven points behind Chelsea in 11th.

ALSO READ: Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson bemoans 'double-whammy' injury blow ahead of Leeds United clash

Here's what the pundits think will happen when the Whites take on Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

Writing in his latest BBC Sport column, Sutton said: "Palace not only got a good result in Roy Hodgson's first game back in charge, they played really well too. The only downside from that win over Leicester is that they lost Wilfried Zaha for a few weeks with injury.

I am going with Leeds here, though, and I even think they will keep a clean sheet.

Leeds have taken seven points from the past nine available at Elland Road and the home crowd always helps but, more importantly, they have started scoring again too."

Score prediction: Leeds United 1-0 Crystal Palace

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

Speaking to bookies Paddy Power, Lawrenson added: "I’m going to go for Leeds to win this, Javi Gracia’s done a good job. They’re going well and they’ve got the bit between their teeth.

"I fancy Leeds to beat Crystal Palace and I know Roy Hodgson got a great result during the week, they’ll just sit in, but I’ve always thought Leeds would stay up whoever the manager is because they’ve just got something about them."

Score prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

Merson told Sportskeeda : "Wow! This is a big game. I like what Leeds United did the other day. They played against Arsenal and knew they weren't going to win, so they rested a few players and then took their chances against Nottingham Forest. It worked a treat. That's what teams have got to start doing now at the end of the season.

"This is a good game for Crystal Palace because they've got some ballers as well, and Leeds open the game up. I think Palace will sit back in this fixture. Leeds are not too far away from being safe, and I think they can beat Crystal Palace this weekend."

Score prediction: Leeds United 1-0 Crystal Palace

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