PL PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED V BURNLEY

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Clarets start 2022 with a trip to Elland Road

2022-01-01T17:07:26.428Z

PL PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED V BURNLEY

Clarets start 2022 with a trip to Elland Road

2022-01-01T17:07:26.428Z

Clarets start 2022 with a trip to Elland Road

After Thursday’s 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford, Burnley face another away trip on Sunday to Elland Road to take on Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.

The Manchester United game was Burnley’s first match after an 18-day break when three successive games were called off because of Covid and injuries.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche was asked about the recent spate of postponements.

“It’s not about me being happy or not, it’s the powers that be that make the decisions. They are the ones that control football, certainly not me.

“It’s up to the teams to decide how they are going about it. The Premier League are the ones that are controlling it. So, it will be on their shoulders whatever way they are making decisions on why the games are off. Their drums are the beat we are all dancing to, no-one else’s.”

Dyche remains confident that Burnley will turn their season around.

“Very confident. The performances levels have been generally high. The details are so, so vital in any game and the margins etc, etc. We have to, obviously, look to change that.

“The mentality is firm. At Manchester United we are three-nil down, nick a goal and second half we have three really good chances in the last three or four minutes. So, the mentality is good.”

Leeds United finished ninth last season in their first campaign back in the top division. Dyche was asked about their current fortunes.

“They set the bar very high with the way they went about it and they way they played and their performance levels, the sort of freedom that the first season can bring.

“They probably knew. The manager is a very straight minded, straight talking and seems to me a very knowledgeable fellow for what he wants from his team and how he goes about it.

“And then you add in the challenges, like we’ve all had, the injuries, Covid situation, ups and downs of players of form, signing new players and all the challengers that come with moulding a team.”

PL PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED V BURNLEY - Image 1

Team news

Republic of Ireland international defender Kevin Long is back after a Covid absence.

Jay Rodriguez and Nick Pope are coming to the end of their isolation period and may be available for selection.

Josh Brownhill will remain absent after a positive Covid test.

Ashley Barnes has had a minor setback on his return from a thigh injury.

Maxwel Cornet has recovered from Covid and is back in training after a thigh injury and may figure.

Connor Roberts is on the road to recovery after a bad infection and will miss the game.

For Leeds United, Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper (both hamstring) will be out of action for some time.

Patrick Bamford is returning from a hamstring injury. A late decision will be taken on his inclusion.

Youngsters Charlie Cresswell (shoulder) and Jamie Shackleton (Achilles) are also likely to be absent.

Junior Firpo will return to the squad after suspension. Diego Llorente, Daniel James and Jack Harrison will also return on Sunday.

Form guide

The Clarets have drawn four away games in the Premier League this season. Their last away win in the top-flight came in the 2-0 success at Craven Cottage back in May.

Leeds have won two home Premier League games this season both by a solitary goal against Watford and Crystal Palace.

SEAN DYCHE PREVIEWS WATFORD CLASH - Image 1

Opposition guide

Leeds United have had their last two games postponed because of Covid and injuries. Prior to that they lost their last three Premier League games conceding 14 goals.

There have been 54 goals in their 18 league games so far this season at an average of three per game.

United boss Bielsa knows how big the game is.

“Every game that we play from here on out will be important. The ones we've played beforehand are the ones that position us where we are. The game on Sunday is a great opportunity to redirect where the campaign is going.”

The former Argentina and Chile manager appreciates the support of the Elland Road crowd.

“Every time that we've played at home, the public has always been an element that improves, pushes on the team to be in a better state of mood.

“Yes, I think the support the Leeds fans have for the team is unconditional. And it's not common in these times to conserve that recognition from the fans even when the team are losing.”

Bielsa knows Burnley well and is used to their style of play.

“Burnley is a team that's very stable with few incorporations that are new. I'm referring to the fact the base of their team is always very much the same. And the way of playing is very installed in the team and incorporated.

“As a result, we don't imagine a different type of game than the one we played against them previously, as last season as this season. The characteristics are the same and the difficulties are the same.”

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Match stats

Aaron Lennon, Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor all played for Leeds United earlier in their careers. Lennon made his first-team debut for the Yorkshire side against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2003 at the age of 16 years and 129 days. At that time, he was the youngest player in the Premier League.

Chris Wood needs one goal for 50 Premier League goals for Burnley. He scored 30 goals for the Yorkshire side in the 2016/17 Championship season.

Patrick Bamford had a loan spell at Burnley in the 2016/17 season.

Wood and Bamford scored against their former clubs in the 1-1 draw at Turf Moor earlier in the season.

Ashley Westwood is set to make his 150th Premier League appearance for Burnley.

Burnley’s last top-flight win at Elland Road came in March 1974 with goals from Paul Fletcher (2), Doug Collins and Geoff Nulty. Allan Clarke scored for Don Revie’s side who went on to win the title that season.

Match referee: Kevin Friend

VAR: Graham Scott

Kick-off: Sunday 2nd January 2022, 2pm