please log in to view this image Burnley v Leeds United Saturday 18th October@15:00 | Turf Moor Leeds United make the short trip up the M65 this weekend for a meeting with Burnley, a side sitting three places and four points below them in the Premier League table. Though their position might suggest early struggles, Scott Parker’s team have endured one of the toughest opening schedules in the division, having already faced Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Spurs. Their points tally includes a hard-earned draw against Nottingham Forest and a morale-boosting victory over Sunderland, evidence that this squad has resilience as well as quality. Defensively, however, Burnley’s issues have been laid bare. They have conceded 15 goals in their first seven league outings—second only to West Ham and almost matching the total number of goals they allowed across 46 Championship games last season. It’s a sobering statistic and a reminder of the harsh step up in class, with only Liverpool’s 1894–95 side conceding their previous season’s total within as few as eight matches in English league history. For Leeds, Daniel Farke’s men arrive with optimism after a steady run of form. The German coach has decided to keep faith with Karl Darlow in goal, leaving fit again Lucas Perri on the bench. Darlow’s performances in recent weeks have justified that trust, even if his international outings with Wales were less convincing. On the injury front, Daniel James provides a timely boost as he edges closer to returning ahead of schedule, having impressed the medical and rehab teams with his recovery. In less positive news, Wilfred Gnonto’s hernia surgery will rule him out for several weeks, while Noah Okafor’s ongoing groin problem is likely to keep him on the sidelines. Burnley’s own fitness concerns persist, with Jordan Beyer, Zeki Amdouni, and Conor Roberts still unavailable. Parker also faces a late call on striker Lyle Foster, who returned early from international duty with South Africa, though early signs suggest the knock is not as severe as first feared. With both sides eager to climb the table, Turf Moor promises a fiercely contested encounter between two teams balancing ambition with the realities of early-season adversity.
I think and hope Leeds away will be up for it, and just have too much in the tank to loose this one, a much stronger team with with the will to suceed than Burnley does 2-0 and Darlow MOM with some cracking saves
I think the old cliche of this is a must-win game comes to mind, but I think the next 5 games are must-win games cos I don't fancy our chances in December
Lots of people stating Harrison starts today on left if Okofor out or right as Aaronson only just back. Not ideal having Gnonto, James, Okafor out injured.
Like it or not, this is a must-win for both teams ... Leeds have the chance to create a seven-points gap which will be huge, and Burnley will desperately want to get to within a point of Leeds A loss here for either side will create even more pressure, and a draw benefits Leeds more than Burnley This is going to be a tough one for Leeds, I expect Burnley to attack from the off as they won't feel threatened by Leeds' attacking options so will feel confident enough to throw extra players forward ... Leeds don't have the pace to pin Burnley's defenders deep, could be a lomg afternoon for us
