MX23RW : Wednesday, December 30 21:10:39| >> :60:3160:3160:

Preview: Leeds United vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Leeds United and Burnley, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Leeds United will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's heavy defeat to Manchester United when they welcome Burnley to Elland Road in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Whites currently sit 14th in the table, having picked up 17 points from their 14 matches this term, while in-form Burnley are 16th, four points behind their opponents this weekend with a game in hand.


Match preview

Raphinha celebrates scoring for Leeds United against Everton in the Premier League on November 28, 2020© Reuters

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that his team will not be changing their approach despite suffering a 6-2 defeat to Man United last weekend. The Red Devils ran riot at Old Trafford but suggestions that the Whites could alter their playing style have been firmly shut down by Bielsa.

In many ways, Leeds have been the entertainers in the Premier League this season, scoring 24 times and conceding 30, picking up 17 points from their 14 matches to sit 14th in the table.

The promoted club are seven points clear of the bottom three heading into the Boxing Day fixtures and have won five times in the league this term, which is a solid return taking everything into consideration.

The Whites will fancy their chances of picking up positive results in their next two games with Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, but it is difficult to know what to expect from the Yorkshire club, who have beaten Newcastle 5-2 and lost 6-2 to Man United in their last two fixtures in England's top flight.

Ashley Barnes celebrates scoring for Burnley against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on December 21, 2020© Reuters

Burnley, on the other hand, will enter this weekend's contest in strong form, picking up eight points from their last four matches with Everton, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, beating the latter 2-1 on Monday night.

Sean Dyche's side have won at Arsenal and drawn with Villa in their last two league matches on the road, and a strong run has allowed them to move three points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.

Goals have been a real issue for the Clarets this term - finding the back of the net in just eight of their 13 matches - and the fact that their leading scorer in the league this season is Chris Wood with three goals is a concern, particularly considering that Ashley Barnes, Jay Rodriguez, Dwight McNeil and Matej Vydra have just one between them.

Burnley, who will host Sheffield United and Fulham in their next two matches, are actually unbeaten in the league against Leeds since April 2013, winning three of their last four encounters, which all came in the Championship.

Leeds United Premier League form: DWLLWL

Burnley Premier League form: WLDWDW


Team News

Burnley midfielder Dwight McNeil pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Leeds will again be without the services of Gaetano Berardi, Adam Forshaw and Robin Koch through injury, while Liam Cooper, who had to be substituted against Man United last weekend due to a stomach issue, has been ruled out of the contest at Elland Road.

Diego Llorente is available, though, and the summer arrival is expected to come into the middle of the defence alongside Luke Ayling, with Stuart Dallas starting at right-back.

There are not expected to be any surprises further forward, with Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison and Raphinha all featuring, while Rodrigo Moreno should start in a deeper position.

As for Burnley, Dyche is hopeful that McNeil and Robbie Brady, who were both forced off against Wolves, will be able to overcome injuries to feature against Bielsa's side.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Jack Cork are definitely out, though, and the visitors also have a concern over the fitness of Vydra, who is struggling with a back problem.

Wood and Barnes were both on the scoresheet against Wolves and should continue in the final third, while there are not expected to be any changes through the spine of the team.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Llorente, Alioski; Harrison, Klich, Phillips, Rodrigo, Raphinha; Bamford

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Brady, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil; Barnes, Wood


SM words green background

We say: Leeds United 2-1 Burnley

Burnley, as mentioned, will enter Sunday's contest in good form, and the Clarets are more than capable of picking up a positive result; we just a feeling for Leeds in this match, though, backing the Whites to pick up all three points courtesy of a narrow success.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:427877:cQx

How you voted: Leeds vs Burnley

Leeds United
69.0%
Draw
17.7%
Burnley
13.3%
113
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Burnley manager Sean Dyche pictured in November 2020
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Burnley sweating over Dwight McNeil and Robbie Brady injuries
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1696137201733
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd159333123830
3Leicester CityLeicester169252920929
4Everton159242619729
5Aston Villa1482428141426
6Chelsea1675431181326
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1575326151126
8Manchester CityMan City147522112926
9Southampton167542519626
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham166552321223
11Leeds UnitedLeeds167273030023
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves166371521-621
13Arsenal166281619-320
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155461724-719
15Crystal Palace165472029-919
16Burnley15447920-1116
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton162771825-713
18Fulham152581323-1011
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1615101135-248
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd160214827-192

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