Preview: Burnley (H)

Preview: Burnley (H)

We look at Sunday's clash.

Preview: Leeds United vs Burnley

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United host Burnley at Elland Road on Sunday, in a lunchtime kick-off (12:00).

The Clarets will arrive on the back of a win and a draw away from home in their last two matches, beating Arsenal (0-1) and drawing at Aston Villa (0-0). The back-to-back clean sheets for Sean Dyche’s side, coupled with another impressive victory over Wolves at Turf Moor, saw them over double their points tally for the season in just three matches.

Those points now see Burnley placed in 16th position, with 13 points from 13 matches. Well known to most at Elland Road, it is no surprise that Chris Wood is leading the scoring charts for his side again this season. The forward has three to his name and is always a threat in the box.  

Another former United player expected to return on Sunday is Charlie Taylor. The left-back is joint top on assists for Burnley this season, level with Dwight McNeil and Ashley Westwood. Taylor joined Dyche’s side from Leeds in 2017 and is now close to 100 appearances for the club. 

For the Whites, Patrick Bamford netted his ninth goal of the season last time out and will be looking to get himself into double figures as quickly as possible. His header levelled the scores against Newcastle in the 5-2 victory and the relationship with fellow forward, Rodrigo, looked to have grown even stronger.

This is a fixture that has never been played in the Premier League, meaning there are no unwanted or favourable records for either side. However - unlike in plenty of other matches this season for Leeds - the teams have played each other fairly regularly over the last 10 years, with the last meeting coming in the League Cup in 2017. 

Leeds could potentially go as high as 11th with a win on the day, whereas opponents Burnley can't move higher than their current position, but will be looking to extend the gap to the bottom three. 

 

Manager/head coach

Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa

Burnley: Sean Dyche

 

League position

Leeds United: 15th

Burnley: 16th

 

Premier League form

Leeds United: WLLWL

Burnley: LDWDW

 

Premier League top scorer

Leeds United: Patrick Bamford (9)

Burnley: Chris Wood (3)

 

Head to head 

Leeds United: 31

Draws: 11

Burnley: 18

 

Last time at Elland Road

Saturday 8th August, 2015

Championship

Leeds United 1 (Antenucci 83’)

Burnley 1 (Vokes 86’)

 

Team news 

Liam Cooper will be touch and go up until kick-off for the Whites, after suffering an abdominal injury against Manchester United. Marcelo Bielsa did confirm that Diego Llorente is fit enough to return to action, meaning he is likely to play against Burnley.  

Doubts for the Clarets are Robbie Brady and Dwight McNeil, both players who operate down the wings for Sean Dyche’s side. Jack Cork and Johann Godumundsson have been working their way back to fitness but it is unclear as of yet whether they will be involved. 

 

Officials

Referee - Robert Jones

Assistant Referee 1 - Darren Cann 

Assistant Referee 2 - Nick Greenhalgh

Fourth Official - Craig Pawson

Video Assistant Referee - Michael Oliver

 

The key battle

Rodrigo vs James Tarkowski

Burnley have been renowned for their organisation and defensive strength during their time in the Premier League. Tarkowski joined the club in 2016 and has made over 150 appearances in that time, also representing England twice in that period. The defender knows all about how to organise a defence and keep clean sheets in the Premier League.

Looking to unlock that defence will be Spanish international, Rodrigo. The tricky forward has already shown his quality in a Leeds shirt and it is clear that his vision and ability to play intricate passes may be needed on Sunday. He will be looking to create space or find teammates when the opposition may not see the danger. 

 

Latest odds

Leeds United: 8/11

Draw: 3/1

Burnley: 100/30

 

How to watch

The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with live commentary on LUTV. 

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