By George Overhill

6th Oct, 2022 | 2:50pm

Jeff Stelling predicts difficult Leeds United result at Crystal Palace on Sunday

Jeff Stelling has predicted that Leeds United will come away from the trip to face Crystal Palace this weekend with a narrow defeat.

The Whites travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon (9 October) looking for a first win since the memorable 3-0 over Chelsea back on 21 August, with a pair of draws, a pair of defeats, and a month-long gap without any matches since.

After a long wait for a return to action Jesse Marsch’s side played out a frustrating 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last Sunday (2 October), with the manager extremely unhappy with time-wasting, as he also saw Luis Sinisterra sent off early in the second half while serving out a touchline ban himself.

But Stelling doesn’t see it getting any more enjoyable for the American when he returns to the touchline, as the Sky Sports host has gone for a 2-1 home win on his Super6 predictions.

The Eagles had their hearts broken by returning hero Conor Gallagher last week, when the former loanee curled a late winner in for Chelsea to secure a 2-1 victory.

Close

United go into this game three points and five places better off than their opponents, with almost identical form over the past five matches.

So a defeat feels a bit harsh, but the advantage of playing at home may be what has tipped Stelling in Palace’s favour.

With the manager back in the dug out and a plethora of attacking options he will certainly be hoping for goals, even if Sinisterra is suspended.

It will be very interesting to see who he goes for in the forward positions, as well as who he includes on the bench for this game.

Patrick Bamford picked up yet another knock to keep him out of the starting XI against Villa, but he was fit enough to come on, while Rodrigo was handed a start immediately upon return from his dislocated shoulder.

The decision to leave Joe Gelhardt out of the squad entirely when he wasn’t injured has gained a lot of understandable attention, with Willy Gnonto taking his place on the bench, although the Italian still hasn’t made his debut.

Where Marsch chooses to place those for at kick-off could be instructive for the next few games, while Crysencio Summerville may be in line for a rare start to take Sinisterra’s place on the wing.

In other Leeds United news, a January loan move has been mooted for one Elland Road sensation in a startling fall from grace.