Farke is expected to stick with his 3-5-2, and the back three of James Justin, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic looks set to continue, with the in-form Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson flying forward as wing-backs. That shape gives Leeds a midfield three that can smother central areas and spring quick transitions into the front two. Palace, under Sage, will likely set up in their usual 3-4-2-1, with Wálter Benítez, Chris Richards and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the back line, Adam Wharton and Quinten Timber in the double pivot, and Daichi Kamada and Yéremy Pino floating behind Strand Larsen. The battle in the middle is where this game is won. Wharton and Timber are tidy, but Leeds' extra body in central midfield — a genuine three versus two — should allow them to press, win second balls and pin Palace back. Out wide, Bogle and Gudmundsson against Palace's wing-backs is a mismatch Leeds will look to exploit early and often.