Expect Farke to stick with the 3-5-2 that has served him well. James Justin, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic are likely to continue as the back three, with the in-form Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson bombing forward as wing-backs. That shape gives Leeds a midfield three that can suffocate opponents, win the second balls, and spring quick transitions. Elland Road will demand intensity, and Farke's system is built to deliver it.

Palace are expected to line up in their usual 3-4-2-1 under Sage, but the personnel is a problem. The absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr strips the attack of its focal point and its pace in behind. Without Mateta, the ball does not stick up top. Without Sarr, there is no outlet to stretch the Leeds back three. That means Palace's midfield four will have to work overtime just to get up the pitch. Adam Wharton and Quinten Timber are tidy footballers, but they will be swimming against the tide at Elland Road.

The key zone is the half-space between Leeds' wing-backs and their wide centre-backs. If Palace can get Daichi Kamada and Yéremy Pino on the ball there, they might create something. But Leeds' pressing trap is designed to smother exactly that. Expect the hosts to win the ball high, pin Palace back, and force them into hopeful long balls that the Leeds back three will gobble up.