Crystal Palace: Vieira must unleash Odsonne Edouard vs Leeds
Crystal Palace face Leeds United in the evening kick-off today and will be hoping to end a dire three-game losing streak.
The Eagles’ form has somewhat derailed in what is a crucial point in the season.
And despite the focus being on Burnley and Everton, relegation is still a possibility for both Leeds and Palace with six games to go. Particularly for Leeds United, who sit just four points above Everton and two points above Burnley.
On the chalkboard
In terms of form, Jesse Marsch’s side will be favourites to take this, with the Eagles conceding five and scoring just one over the last three fixtures in all competitions.
Vieira will need to switch up the Palace attack in order to continue back on the path that saw them beat Everton 4-0 and Arsenal 3-0, just moments before this dreadful run of form.
Should Vieira start Edouard today?
Yes
No
Odsonne Edouard can offer his countryman an opportunity to tweak the system, in a move that would provide cover for the injured Michael Olise and see Palace attack Marsch’s side through more central methods.
A switch to a 4-1-3-2 would tick all the boxes for Palace, in terms of player position, and would enable Edouard to sit as one of two main strikers, along with either Jean-Philippe Mateta or Christian Benteke.
Zaha, Eze and Gallagher would all sit behind the pair in a shape that allows transitional freedom for attacking players.
Edouard’s chance
The £15.3m-rated “delight” – as described by BT Sport – has drastically struggled for minutes since the turn of the year, and despite his nine goal contributions (six goals, three assists) in the Premier League this season, has been out of favour.
Edouard has started just 55% of games for Crystal Palace in the league this season, which is no wonder as to why he has failed to hit the form that saw him net 15 or more goals across three consecutive seasons in Scotland.
Part of the reasoning for this is down to Vieira’s system of late, with his formations including just one striker spot.
Though, unleashing the former Celtic man in a partnership could terrify Leeds United, with his pace and physicality a real problem for the Peacocks.
Whilst the Frenchman is proven as a scorer, currently sitting as Palace’s third-highest goalscorer of the season, the defensive side of his game is underrated yet highly efficient.
His average of 20 pressures per 90 make him an unrelenting force against Leeds, whilst also placing him in and around the elite category for positionally similar players across the last year.
Vieira can scare Leeds today with Edouard and help the Eagles to find their goalscoring touch once more.
AND in other news: Contact made: Palace now in talks for “incredible” £15m “priority”, he “fits the bill”…
Article title: Crystal Palace: Vieira must unleash Odsonne Edouard vs Leeds
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