Leeds v Burnley
Date: 26/12/2020
K/O: 12:00
Venue: Elland Road
Referee: Robert Jones
Leeds host Burnley this Sunday lunchtime, the first of four Sunday fixtures. Leeds enter the match off the back of a 6-2 drumming against Manchester United. Two goals down within three minutes, the game could have seen both teams score double figures. As for Burnley they make the trip to Yorkshire unbeaten in their last four games, with wins over Wolves and Arsenal in that time. The Clarets will be full of confidence and can put themselves within a point of Leeds with a win at Elland Road.
The two sides last met in the league back in 2016. A Championship match on that occasion, which saw Burnley win the match 1-0 after a first minute goal. Leeds haven’t beaten Burnley in the last four league meetings, fitting when you consider Burnley are currently on a four game unbeaten run in the league. Chris Wood was on the opposing side when these two teams last met, with Leeds’ in-form striker Patrick Bamford once a part of Sean Dyche’s squad. It’s an important game for both sides, who are arguably both battling relegation this season. A loss for Burnley could see them drop into the bottom three and a loss for Leeds will see them fall into the relegation mix.
Team News
Leeds
Liam Cooper joins the list of injured defenders at Leeds, but the club will welcome the timely return of Spanish international, Diego Llorente from a recent muscle injury. He’s expected to slot in for Cooper next to Luke Ayling in the Leeds’ centre of defence. After the 6-2 hammering against Manchester United, you may expect Marcelo Bielsa to make a string of changes for the visit to Burnley. However, the manager could not be critical of their attacking threat against the Red Devils. With Burnley being a much more passive opposition, he may opt for the same starting XI. The Yorkshire club would expect to dominate possession, with Burnley offering far less quality in attack. Other than Cooper at the back, I doubt we’ll see any changes to the Leeds team, continuing their attack from the start game plan. I’d expect ex-Burnley man Bamford, to have a number of opportunities to add to his nine goals already scored this season.
Burnley
It seems an impressive win over Wolves earlier on in the week has come at a cost, with Robbie Brady and Dwight McNeil both doubts for the trip to Yorkshire. Two players difficult to replace, especially with the club’s limited options on the flanks, with no new information in regards to Icelandic winger Johan Berg Gudmundsson return. Josh Brownhill will likely be used to cover on the flanks if needed, with Dale Stephens and Josh Benson the choice to fill his void in the middle. Stephens has struggled with injuries this season and has not had much time to prove his worth to the Burnley boss, with Benson’s confidence under question after his recent penalty giveaway moments after walking on the pitch against Wolves. If all goes to plan Sean Dyche will more than likely keep with his same XI, with Ashley Barnes again partnering Chris Wood in attack.
Predicted Starting XIs
Leeds (4-1-4-1: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Llorente, Alioski, Phillips, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison, Bamford
Burnley (4-4-2): Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Brady, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil, Rodriguez, Wood
Prediction: Leeds 2-0 Burnley
All good things must come to an end, not something Burnley fans will want to hear with their current four game unbeaten run. But I can’t see them leaving Elland Road extending this to five games. They were organised against Wolves earlier on in the week, plus clinical in front of goal, which saw them take a shock three points. Leeds, however, are a different kettle of fish and pose a much more threatening attack. Leeds run from the first minute to the last and will give no Burnley player a chance to breathe. Leeds will get chances to score, something I doubt Burnley can replicate. With Brady and McNeil both doubts, much of Burnley impetuous in attack could be taken away and service to Wood and Barnes limited. I see Leeds’ constant pressure being too much for the Clarets on this occasion, with the three points staying in Yorkshire.
