Why Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson is such a big admirer of Leeds United rival Marcelo Bielsa

Both have coached across the globe over the last 40 years, with spells in several European leagues and on the international scene, but have never gone toe-to-toe on the touchline.

That will change at Selhurst Park in a battle of the oldest managers in the division, who have guided their clubs to 10 points from seven games respectively.

After bringing Leeds back to the top-flight for the first time since 2004, Bielsa has quickly made his mark in the Premier League, impressing Hodgson.

“Marcelo is a man who has had a lot of success since he came to Leeds,” said Hodgson. “I t was an inspired decision to take him on as manager because first he got them back in the Premier League, something so many have tried and not been able to do.

“Now he has started extremely well in the Premier League and his team have played some outstandingly good games.

“I have never met him unfortunately, but I have always known about him and I look forward to meeting him. He is a person who I very much respect.”

Palace remain without seven players with Wayne Hennessey, Nathan Ferguson and Connor Wickham long-term absentees while Joel Ward, James Tomkins, Tyrick Mitchell and Luka Milivojevic are unavailable.

If Gary Cahill is fit enough to returnfrom a shin injury, he will be part of a back four eager to keep Patrick Bamford quiet with the Leeds forward scoring six league goals already this season.

He failed to find the net in a loan spell at Selhurst Park back in 2015.

“I can’t make comparisons with how he is now and how he was at Crystal Palace, I wasn’t here,” added Hodgson.

“What I can say is his performances for Leeds in helping them achieve promotion and the way he has started this season with not only goals, his ability to lead the line and his work-rate, I am full of admiration for what he has done.

“I am very sure everyone at Leeds is full of admiration for what he has done and it is our job to keep him quiet but we know it won’t be easy because of the qualities he possesses.”

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