Leeds vs Burnley predictions: Whites' tight defence could frustrate Clarets
- Leeds have won their last two games 2-0
- Burnley are without a victory in three matches in all competitions
- Recommended bet: Leeds to win 2-0
Leeds meet Championship promotion rivals Burnley on Saturday and the hosts' handy defensive record could make life tough for the visitors.
After losing last season's play-off final, the Whites had an awkward first week of the new campaign but looked to be developing momentum before the international break.
Daniel Farke appears to have adapted well to losing Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and others and his team won their two games before the break 2-0 to move up to fourth.
Opposite number Scott Parker had to pick up the pieces after Burnley's poor season in the Premier League. But, after triumphing 4-1 at Luton and outclassing Cardiff 5-0, they have failed to win their last three in all competitions and sit sixth.
A busy summer of ins and outs means the former England midfielder may be relieved that the transfer window has closed, but Saturday's trip across the Pennines may come too early as he continues putting his team together.
Team news
Leeds could have summer signing Isaac Schmidt available for his debut after a thigh injury.
Dan James is recovering from a hamstring injury, but there is no timeframe on his return. However, Patrick Bamford, who also missed out against Hull City with a hamstring issue, could feature.
For Burnley, Jordan Beyer, Hjalmar Ekdal, Aaron Ramsey, Enock Agyei, Mike Tresor and Nathan Redmond are unavailable.
Former Leeds loanee Connor Roberts is a doubt after being subbed off after 43 minutes of Wales' win in Montenegro so CJ Egan-Riley could deputise, while Josh Cullen could play after missing the 1-1 draw against Blackburn and Ireland colleague John Egan could debut after signing as a free agent.
The stats
Leeds are unbeaten in the last four head-to-heads (W3, D1). All of those came in the Premier League.
The last Championship meeting at Elland Road in August 2015 finished 1-1 before Burnley won 1-0 at Turf Moor in April 2016.
Leeds have kept clean sheets in their last three games, while there was a 'no' in both teams to score in Burnley's three outings before their 1-1 draw against Blackburn ahead of the international break.
Farke's side had the second-best home record in last season's Championship, while Burnley had the third-worst away figures in the Premier League in 2023-24.
Prediction
Leeds made a poor start to the season, drawing 3-3 at home against Portsmouth before losing 3-0 to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup. However, they showed improvement in their 0-0 draw at West Brom before recording 2-0 wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City.
Encouragingly, their defence is starting to resemble the rearguard that conceded the second-fewest goals in the Championship in 2023-24.
Those Yorkshire derby successes meant Farke's side went into the international hiatus in confident mood and they were unbeaten in games immediately after similar breaks last season, winning three times and drawing once.
The Clarets were inconsistent before the September internationals, with Parker dealing with several late-window incomings and outgoings.
Automatic promotion is the aim for both of these teams, but despite only being a point ahead of their rivals, the Whites appear superior at the moment and can confirm that theory on Saturday.
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