Crystal Palace v Leeds Tips

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell branded his charges 'suicidal' after they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by letting a lead slip on two occasions in the final ten minutes of their 2-2 draw with QPR at Loftus Road on Tuesday. Initially, the home side, very much the underdogs against a Leeds side being mooted as genuine title contenders this season, took the game to their illustrious visitors. However, United were in control before long, and looked well on their way to victory when midfielder Eddie Lewis put them ahead after 65 minutes had passed. After Martin Rowland levelled for QPR from the spot in the 81st-minute, loan signing Geoff Horsefield replied by reasserting Leeds' superiority just a minute later, only for the Elland Road outfit to concede again on 90 minutes. Blackwell will no doubt have torn into his players, and will be aware that a far stiffer examination of their credentials lies in wait at Selhurst Park on Sunday when squaring up against Crystal Palace. The Eagles are already flying high at the head of the table following victories away to Ipswich and at home against Southend on Tuesday. In the latter match, Peter Taylor's men were far from impressive in the opening 45 minutes, but whatever the manager said to them during the interval clearly worked the oracle, as they came out and scored three times within nine minutes to record a 3-1 victory over their Essex-based rivals. As in the case of their opening match of the campaign, Palace found themselves behind, but they once again demonstrated plenty of resolve to claw their way back into the match. Both Palace and Leeds are generally single-figure prices to win the Championship this season and one expects fireworks in this match. Leeds beat Palace in this fixture last season, a defeat which The Eagles later avenged at Elland Road. Overall, however, Leeds do boast a superior record on a head-to-head basis, having beaten Palace 24 times in 53 meetings, the London side winning on 15 occasions, and 14 clashes ending all square. But the homes side will be brimming with confidence ahead of this bout, and I can envisage them emerging on top. Both managers will be keen to instil greater defensive discipline within their charges, and one imagines that the first half might turn out to be rather tight before the game opens up after the break. As such, the value bet appears to rest within the double result market, and the 9/2 offered by Paddy Power about draw/Crystal Palace looks the best option. Clinton Morrison and James Scowcroft will both be on a high after striking for Palace against Southend and they will prove a real handful for the visiting defence.