Leeds vs Burnley Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Leeds United are all but safe in the Premier League as the Whites welcome Burnley, now relegated, from Lancashire to Yorkshire on Friday night.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Hulu+
Leeds preview: Steady Leeds
Frustratingly for Leeds, despite perhaps being slightly the better of the two sides, Leeds were edged past by a goal to nil by Chelsea in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The home team, with Daniel Farke at the helm, have been in excellent form since early-December, more or less, but particularly of late as they push themselves clear of the bottom three and the relegation places in the Premier League.
Burnley preview: Parker leaves
They now face a Burnley side that did have their relegation mathematically confirmed by a 1-0 defeat to title challenging Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in midweek, with Scott Parker having since been relived of his duties as manager. Mike Jackson has stepped in as interim boss.
The Clarets have won just one game since the start of November with a very defensive style of football that thrived in the Championship when they had James Trafford in goal and CJ Egan-Riley in their back-line.
Leeds team news: Gudmundsson out
Leeds will want to remain very strong for this one as they edge towards safety – and this could be the game that clinches it but they do have some injury worries.
Gabriel Gudmundsson pulled up with a hamstring injury against Chelsea and will miss out, while Jaka Bijol and Noah Okafor are doubts.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Darlow; Bijol, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Tanaka, Ampadu, Justin; Aaronson; Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin
Unavailable: Gudmundsson (Injured), Gruev (Injured)
Questionable: Bijol (Injured), Okafor (Injured)
Burnley team news: A few could return
Tunisia international midfielder Hannibal Mejbri could return to action when Burnley travel to Yorkshire this week, with Scott Parker having suggested this one was more likely than last week, when he was absent once again.
Versatile defender Axel Tuanzebe and long-term absentee striker Zeki Amdouni are also in training, while Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts and Josh Cullen remain sidelined for the visitors.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Dubravka; Ekdal, Humphreys, Esteve; Walker, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Hartman; Tchaouna, Flemming, Anthony
Unavailable: Beyer (Injured), Roberts (Injured), Cullen (Injured)
Questionable: Tuanzebe (Fitness), Mejbri (Fitness), Amdouni (Fitness)
Leeds vs Burnley prediction
Burnley finished level on 100 points with Leeds in the Championship but many second-tier observers would tell you they were a level below their Yorkshire counterparts - and Leeds have been able to prove that at a higher level this season with a home win and a survival party on Friday night to be expected in Leeds.
Leeds vs Burnley tip: Leeds to win
