please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Burnley Sunday 2nd January 2022@14:00 | Elland Road Leeds kick-off the New Year with a home match against bitter rivals Burnley on Sunday lunchtime. The game itself will be about a lot more than just local bragging rights, with both sides battling for Premier League survival. Leeds are five points and two places better off than their Lancashire foes, but have played three games more. Sean Dyche's team have lost two fewer matches, and have an eleven goal better goal difference than Bielsa's team. Leeds (hopefully) welcome back Pascal Struijk and Dan James after injury. Junior Firpo who served a one match ban against Arsenal should also return to action. Patrick Bamford is on the road to recovery, and rates his chances of playing as 'touch and go'. Bielsa has the luxury of choice in defence, but may opt to play a back three of Llorente, Koch and Struijk to try to deal with Burnley's superior aerial threat. On average, Burnley win 24.7 aerial duels every game, far superior to any other top flight club. Leeds aerial threats are far less effective (12.2 per game) placing them in 19th position. Unfortunately for the Whites, their best headerer's (Cooper and Cresswell) are both injured. Despite their well deserved reputation for aggressive fouling, it is in fact Leeds that find themselves topping the Premiership with the most bookings (50), whilst Burnley are tenth with 34. The Clarets face a trip to Old Trafford (on Thursday night) prior to Sunday's crunch match. Ashley Barnes, Dale Stephens and Connor Roberts will all likely be missing due to injury while Maxwel Cornet is also a doubt. Sean Dyche has also confirmed that several members of his squad were waiting for PCR tests to return.
Meslier Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Firpo Koch Forshaw Raphinha, Dallas, James Gelhardt subs Bamford Klaesson Roberts Cresswell Harrison Drameh Greenwood If our injuries allow
-----------------Meslier----------------- -------Llorente--Koch--Struijk-------- Ayling-----------------------------Firpo -----------------Forshaw---------------- Raphinha-------Dallas----------James ----------------Gelhardt-----------------
After the last few games that would be a big improvement, but can't see him starting Gelhardt over Roberts
On one hand, Gelhardt has played a good few championship games so he’s probably been roughed up a few times, on the other you’d understand Roberts being first choice as he’s got a bit of “nasty” in him to handle the Burnley players better. Must win for us, with the FA cup match next up it gives another nice gap for us to get a couple more of the walking wounded back
Only a southerner could write ‘local bragging rights’ in the the context of Burnley. I’ll give Ell that it looks close on the map but the Pennines means it never felt close.
I will take any win. I've been on a proper downer with Leeds over December to a point where I couldn't read anything as everything was negative over the social media scene . We have to stay positive this is a massive game but not a game changer if we lose or draw. We need to get over this injury nightmare its wrecked our season so far. I'm not saying we would be waltzing around the top 8 but I defo think we would be mixing the same points as a Villa,Palace,Saints they are no better than us and that's not my Leeds head speaking. No offence to Burnley but they aren't a Premier League club the board don't want to improve the squad they don't back the ginger gravel voiced one in transfers they just seem happy to just sit around and collect the Prem League dough. Their football is crap, their fans are crap and players are a bunch of cheats. I'm still a bit worried on our part because lets be honest our last few performances have been horrendous. We need players back, we need a change of luck and we need some team confidence back. 3 points would take a big weight off my mind I just hope we can field a team capable of doing it.
I’ve loved our games being cancelled, it’s enabled me to enjoy Christmas and not get stressed with results
