Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Fri 13 March 2026 16:40, UK

Daniel Farke may look to rely on Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe’s partnership as Leeds United face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Whites’ attacking duo started in the 3-0 win over Norwich City in the FA Cup fifth round on 8 March at Elland Road, with the two linking up for the third goal of the game.

Piroe finally got off the mark for the West Yorkshire outfit this season after being set up by Nmecha in the 85th minute to lead the Peacocks to their first FA Cup quarter-final in 23 years.

Farke may be without key players against Palace at Selhurst Park on 15 March, and the German manager will surely make multiple changes to his squad after facing the Championship outfit.

Daniel Farke shouldn’t risk Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Crystal Palace vs Leeds United

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been dealing with an injury at Leeds, but Farke is optimistic about his availability in South London.

While the German manager hopes to have the striker for the trip to Palace, there’s still some doubt over whether he’ll be fit enough for the game.

If the former Everton ace can’t start at Selhurst Park, the 49-year-old head coach should continue with the partnership of Nmecha and Piroe up front.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farke said, “Dominic obviously was out for a few days. He was the last couple of days back in team training. Right now, we have to wait how his body reacts but I am carefully optimistic that I have him available also for the game. But there is still a doubt how his body reacts right now.”

Noah Okafor is also injured at Elland Road, while Brenden Aaronson’s recent performances haven’t been convincing.

The German centre-forward and Suriname international are in good form and the German manager may turn to them to get three crucial points in the Premier League relegation battle.

Elland Road faithful want to see another change from Daniel Farke

Ilia Gruev caught the eye of many after a brilliant display against Nottingham Forest in the league in February as Leeds won 3-1 at home.

Since then, the Bulgaria international has been a regular fixture in the Whites’ starting lineup, but fans now want to see him benched after consistently poor performances.

Ao Tanaka’s tenacity is something the West Yorkshire outfit have arguably been missing in recent Premier League matches, and the Japan international made a case for himself after starring against Norwich.

With just three points separating the Peacocks from 18th-place West Ham United in the final stretch of the season, Farke should be playing players on form rather than reputation.