Leeds United vs Burnley
It’s the Sunday between Christmas and New Year and a high noon Premier League showdown awaits at Elland Road.
Two of English football’s great names, Leeds United and Burnley, prepare to meet in the top flight for the first time in 44 years.
One looking to banish memories of being hit for six, the other bidding to go through December unbeaten.
Two teams with very different styles could make for eitherPremier League highlights, a war of attrition or both!
Talking Points
Home coach Marcelo Bielsa has won admirers for his side’s style of play in leading the Yorkshire club back into the top tier for the first time in 16 years. It’s a cavalier approach which has been pleasing on the eye and led to plenty of goals in both the ‘for and against’ column in the league table.
In fact, Leeds have now conceded more (30) than any other Premier League club.
Despite being on the wrong end of a 6-2 defeat at Manchester United last weekend, Bielsa has vowed not to abandon the style and approach he believes in.
He is not expected to make many changes to the side that slumped to that defeat, indeed it could be argued his half-time substitutions in that game (with his team already 4-1 behind) were very much with this contest in mind.
Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich were withdrawn andBielsadid not elaborate too much on the decision to remove the duo, although both of them are just one booking away from collecting their fifth cautions of the season and, with it, a one-match suspension.
While free-flowing Leeds have rarely achieved scruffy victories, Burnley are known for their resolute, well-drilled system – one which has served them well as they enjoy a fifth successive season in the Premier League.
In Sean Dyche they have a respected manager who has helped them rediscover their mojo of late after a slow start to the season, winning three of their last six outings.
It’s hoped Dwight McNeil and Robbie Brady, who picked up niggling injuries last time out, will be fit enough to be involved.
Dale Stephens is also closing in on a return following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while experienced defender Phil Bardsley may also have a part to play in the festive period after he recently returned to action.
So Yorkshire meets Lancashire in a tasty Sunday lunchtime treat. Both have their own acquired taste: which do you prefer?
History
These sides first met in September 1924 in the old First Division when they played out a 1-1 draw.
Their last top-flight meeting was actually in 1976 and so this is their first ever clash in the Premier League.
Burnley have not got a great record at Elland Road with only one success –2-1 in 2013 courtesy of Scott Arfield and Sam Vokes goals – in their past seven visits.
They have won four and drawn one of their last six league encounters, however, including a 1-0 win in April 2016 when an Arfield goal helped them on their way to promotion.
In the Leeds team that day was Chris Wood who actually netted for Burnley against Leeds 17 months later in a 2-2 League Cup thriller. That match, though, went the way of Leeds in a penalty shoot-out.
It was a dramatic cup tie as Pablo Hernández gave Leeds the lead in the fourth minute of added time at the end of normal time before Wood equalised for Burnley two minutes later.
Betting Tip
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Leeds United vs Burnley | Leeds United Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.35 |
| December 27, 20:00 (GMT+8) |
Leeds took such a tonking last time out at the hands of their old rivals, they will be fired up.
Burnley may be more relaxed too after a fine December which has seen them take eight points from a possible 12, including victory at Arsenal and a 2-1 success against Wolves on Monday night, a triumph which lifted them three points clear of the drop zone.
I do think Leeds will edge this, simply because a reaction will be demanded.
If you do fancy the Clarets to make it an unbeaten December, then how about Burnley 1X2 @ 4.60 or Asian Handicap Burnley +0.50 @ 2.28?
Leeds can be backed 1X2 @ 1.71 or you can opt for the draw @ 3.70.
As for a re-run of the last time they met in the league – a 1-0 Burnley triumph in the Championship in 2016 – generous Correct Score odds of @ 15.50 are available.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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