Leeds handed welcome boost for December fixture as official announcement made
Leeds United have a hectic December fixture list to navigate, but it is nothing compared to what Crystal Palace face.
Leeds have five Premier League games in the final month of the year – and a sixth against Liverpool on New Year’s Day – starting with a home clash with Chelsea.
The rivalry between Leeds and Chelsea will ensure fireworks are guaranteed at Elland Road for that one.
And Daniel Farke will need his side to improve by then on the basis of Leeds’ 3-0 loss to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
But ahead of a hectic period, spare a thought for Crystal Palace as they have a crazy eight games to play in December across three competitions.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace EFL Cup date confirmed
One of those fixtures had been up in the air until Monday as Palace could not find a suitable date to fit in their clash with Arsenal.
Palace advanced to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup last week, but their Europa Conference League fixtures meant minimum slots to fit that Arsenal game in.
However, it has been confirmed by Crystal Palace that their trip to Emirates Stadium will be on 21 December.
That comes just two days after facing Leeds at Elland Road in what is a quite remarkable turnaround in games.
Oliver Glasner may well want to prioritise a place in a cup semi-final, meaning one eye will be that on that Arsenal game.
Either way, Glasner will not be able to field the same XI in both games given the quick turnaround – it is just not feasible.
This news is therefore a welcome boost to Farke, albeit there is still well over a month go until that fixture comes around.
Leeds’ December fixtures in full
Sky Sports last week announced their TV fixtures for the Christmas period in news that did not go down well with the Leeds fanbase.
However, Palace’s predicament does put things in perspective for Farke and Leeds supporters. It could be a lot worse.
Farke will know a lot more is needed from his Leeds side, but Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest presents a chance to turn things around.
Two more fixtures follow in November, before then facing Chelsea, Liverpool, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Sunderland in December.
It goes without saying the Christmas and New Year fixtures will be massive, but let’s hope Leeds are above the relegation zone going into those games.
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