---
title: "Leeds: Dan James tipped to start up front against Crystal Palace"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-palace-predicted-xi-dan-james-phil-hay/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-04-25T13:10:16Z"
modified: "2022-04-25T13:10:16Z"
---

# Leeds: Dan James tipped to start up front against Crystal Palace

**Journalist Phil Hay believes that Dan James will lead the line for [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) in their [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night.**

### The Lowdown: James’ resurgence under Marsch

Jesse Marsch’s men face another crucial game in their top-flight survival battle as they head south to take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

James has been [used regularly](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/319301/plus/0/saison/2021/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/399/trainer_id/17275) by the Leeds manager since the American replaced Marcelo Bielsa, admittedly not yet scoring under the 48-year-old but providing lots of endeavour and [registering two assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/319301/plus/0/saison/2021/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/399/trainer_id/17275).

The former Manchester United man has often been [used centrally by Marsch](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniel-james/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/319301/plus/0/saison/2021/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/399/trainer_id/17275) in the absence of Patrick Bamford, and that could be the case again when Leeds take on Palace.

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-40/)

### The Latest: Hay makes team news claim

Writing in a Q&A for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3269022/2022/04/24/leeds-fans-discuss-the-crystal-palace-game-with-our-reporter-phil-hay/) leading up to kick-off, Hay has backed James to lead the line for Leeds at Selhurst Park, on what feels like a crucial night in the relegation tussle. The journalist wrote:

> “My gut feeling is it will be James up front again this evening – but maybe Marsch will surprise us.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Verdict: Big night for James

In truth, James has had a [disappointing](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-daniel-james-criticism-23524819) first season in a Leeds shirt, having become the club’s [second-most expensive signing](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transferrekorde/verein/399) in history when he joined from their Mancunian rivals.

[Four goals and four assists](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/302313/Show/Daniel-James) is still a reasonable effort in a struggling team, though, and it makes sense for him to continue in a central role on Monday night in the absence of Bamford.

If James could find the net decisively at Selhurst Park, it would be perhaps his biggest contribution yet in a Whites shirt as he looks to justify the [£25m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12395604/daniel-james-leeds-agree-25m-fee-with-man-utd-for-wales-winger) that Leeds paid for him last year.

***In other news, Marsch is reportedly trying to bring one player to Leeds. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-jesse-marsch-eyeing-chris-armas-move/).***