Leeds make three changes from their FA Cup semi-final defeat. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Anton Stach replace Lucas Berri, the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson and Brenden Aaronson.
Burnley’s caretaker manager Mike Jackson names an unchanged side.
The equation is simple. If Leeds beat relegated – and now managerless - Burnley at Elland Road on Friday they will reach 43 points and be extremely unlikely to meet the same fate as their opponents. Daniel Farke’s losing FA Cup semi-finalists are then scheduled to travel to Tottenham, but victory against Burnley, who they pipped to the Championship title last season, would settle nerves in West Yorkshire. Farke, though, does not necessarily expect a straightforward match.
“There’s definitely no complacency,” he said, speaking before the news of Scott Parker’s departure. “I’ve got so much respect for Scott. I’d say there’s not one time this season Burnley were played off the field. They’re always very competitive, they’ve had many tight games.” As Mike Jackson takes caretaker charge at Turf Moor, Farke hopes another three points will persuade Leeds to extend his own contract.
Will Unwin
This feels like the night Leeds should all but confirm a second year in the Premier League. Burnley are already relegated and without a manager; if they cannot beat them at home, it would be a desperate shame for Daniel Farke and his side, especially after the disappointment of losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup.
The hosts should be up and at Burnley, testing their frailties at the back and in midfield. When Leeds are at their peak, few can cope with the tempo and physicality they offer, and the Clarets fall into that category.
For Burnley, it will be a question of how caretaker Mike Jackson changes things in the hope his team can offer the fans some joy. It does not look like he will make many adjustments as Burnley look to go through the motions until the end of the season.
Preamble
Evening. Last season, Leeds and Burnley were separated only by goal difference. They both picked up exactly 100 points in the Championship, with automatic promotion to the Premier League their reward. This season – as is so often the case with promoted clubs, and please don’t ask me why – their paths have diverged.
Leeds have 40 points, twice as many as relegated Burnley, and are almost safe. It’s 23 years since a team was relegated from the Premier League after reaching 40 points – but that may happen this year, so Leeds still have a bit of work to do, especially as two of their last three games are away to Spurs and West Ham.
You’d expect Leeds to win tonight against a managerless, relegated opponent. If they do, all will be well. If not, they could yet be dragged into something unpleasant.
