Burnley v Leeds United: YEP Jury give their big-match predictions

ANDY RHODES

The games are continuing to come thick and fast and tomorrow sees our final trip to Lancashire for the season.

The home game against Burnley broke up a run of three Leeds games which had seen 20 goals between them.

It would be unsurprising if this was another tight and cagey affair. Burnley are safe in the Premier League after Monday’s win at Fulham, but Sean Dyche is unlikely to let his side relax. His side’s obvious physicality and aerial threat will be a constant danger to the Whites, given their vulnerability at set-pieces.

However, Burnley haven’t won at home since January so the opportunity for three points is there. Raphinha’s return last week was more than welcome, while Patrick Bamford rediscovered his goalscoring touch.

Crucially, the defence was up to the task again against Spurs. A run of defensively-sound games before the end of the season could spark some momentum for the next campaign.

A win here would help cement Leeds’ place in the table’s top half.

Prediction: Burnley 1 Leeds United 3.

DAVID WATKINS

Three games to go and all must be considered winnable if Leeds can maintain the form we saw last week against Spurs.

All three remaining games are against sides in the bottom seven positions in the table and they are three sides we’ve already beaten without conceding a goal while scoring nine ourselves. Indeed, the only games against teams in the bottom seven that we haven’t won this season were the two against Brighton.

If everyone is fit, it’s hard to see Marcelo not playing the XI that started against Spurs and yet it must also be tempting to bring back Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha who have been so effective this season.

It would be great to score early on to be able to give the youngsters a few minutes later in the game and it would be nice to have the chance to see Pablo Hernandez too if this is to be his final season.

Lots of things to hope for but all the time remembering that each position up the table is worth another £2 million in the coffers so no change will be made lightly.

Prediction: Burnley 2 Leeds United 2.

JACOB STARR

Three games to go in this remarkable season; let’s finish with four victories on the bounce.

Up first is Burnley away tomorrow.

A performance with similarities to last weekend’s terrific win against Tottenham, will surely earn Leeds three points at the expense of a side that has failed to win at home since January.

However, Brighton were statistically bad at home, and look what happened there!

Former-White Chris Wood has been amongst the goals, netting eight in as many games, including five in his last three.

It looks as though he has regained the red-hot form that got him the move to Lancashire in the first place, although I have full confidence that our revitalised defence will be able to cope.

Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips?

That is the question.

Personally, I would stick with the same starting line-up that put Spurs to the sword, but no one has a clue what Marcelo Bielsa is thinking.

United edged the Clarets at Elland Road via an early Patrick Bamford penalty, although I think the contest at Turf Moor will be a more open affair, with Sean Dyche’s men now mathematically safe and seemingly having more joy in front of goal.

Prediction: Burnley 1 Leeds United 3.

KEITH INGHAM

The Clarets are well established in the Premier League since their promotion in 2016.

They have built an impressive training set up since going up and their academy has brought through a number of good players.

They have in their squad two ex-Leeds players. Chris Wood was Leeds’ top scorer the season before he left and Charlie Taylor was a decent, if not spectacular left-back.

Games against Burnley have not always gone on form; they beat Leeds 4-1 the year United were crowned Division One champions.

It was only the third time I’d seen a Leeds team in the flesh and the result was a major surprise.

I do, though, remember a superb game when Leeds were 2-0 down but won it 3-2 with Jonny Howson getting the winner five minutes from time.

The last time the two teams met before this season, Leeds won a League Cup tie in 2017, 5-3 on penalties after the game had ended 2-2.

The match had an amazing ending with Pablo Hernandez netting a goal in the 94th minute and Chris Wood equalising in the 96th, he also scored a penalty in the 89th minute. Hadi Sacko scored the other Leeds goal with 10 minutes of the match remaining.

With limited crowds allowed back after May 17, the fixture at Turf Moor will be the last played behind closed doors.

Burnley’s form isn’t great but, a word of caution, they did beat Wolves 4-0 at Molineux a few weeks ago.

Earlier in the season Leeds won a tight encounter 1-0, Patrick Bamford scoring the only goal from the penalty spot after nine minutes.

Prediction: Burnley 1 Leeds United 2.

MIKE GILL

Leeds United’s performance against Spurs was one of the best of the season and was great entertainment as well.

The game against our ‘neighbours’, Burnley, is likely to be a more gritty affair.

The Clarets’ last job was to supply Fulham with a ticket to the Championship. Although they were not mathematically safe themselves until after this result, Burnley must feel relieved. Sean Dyche has once again proved to be their saviour after a season of struggle.

Let us hope that they are now feeling nice and relaxed. So relaxed that they don’t play their usual brand of spoiling tactics.

As for the Whites, another win and another double would go down well. It was great to see Raphinha back last week and I hope he starts.

A more intriguing question is whether Robin Koch will keep his place. He put in a superb performance against Spurs and it would be a great comfort to know that we have cover for Kalvin Phillips.

However, I suspect that our favourite son will return if he is fully fit.

Prediction: Burnley 0 Leeds United 2.

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