Preview: Burnley – Leeds

Can Leeds create a gap at the top of the Championship table?

Leeds and Sheffield United have been trading places at the top of the Championship table, with Burnley and Sunderland close behind. This weekend, it was clear that at least one of these teams would drop points, as Leeds and Burnley faced off in a top-of-the-table clash. However, it could end with all four teams losing points instead.

Shock Results

On Friday night, Sheffield United were heavy favorites at home against a Hull side sitting in the relegation zone after four straight games without scoring. The Blades had conceded just five goals in 13 home games, keeping a clean sheet in 10 of them. But this is the Championship, where, as we know, anyone can beat anyone.

“It was a tough night, and a game we need to forget as quickly as possible,” said Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder after watching his team lose 3-0 to the visitors.

Sunderland were just as big favorites on Saturday against Plymouth. The league's bottom side, Plymouth, had the worst away record in the division and arrived at the Stadium of Light with a dismal tally of zero wins, three draws, and 11 losses in their first 14 away games, scoring only three goals. After losing 5-0 to Burnley the previous week and selling key player Morgan Whittaker, Plymouth still managed to score twice and earn a deserved point. The Championship never ceases to surprise!

The Stingiest Team in Championship History

Leeds are unbeaten in 10 consecutive games and comfortably the league's top scorers. On Monday night, they face a Burnley side that has made history. Conceding only nine goals in their first 28 games is a Championship record, and at home, Scott Parker's men have allowed just four goals in their first 13 matches.

Burnley - Leeds
Josh Brownhill, Burnley (Bildbyrån)

Interestingly, Burnley have only managed to win six of those 13 home games, which gives Leeds fans hope. While Burnley are coming off a 5-0 victory and Leeds are the division’s highest scorers, we don’t expect many goals in this encounter.

Burnley – Leeds

Both Josh Laurent and Zian Flemming scored twice as Burnley cruised to a 5-0 victory over Plymouth on Wednesday at Home Park. Flemming’s opening goal, assisted by a brilliant Josh Brownhill pass, was worth the ticket price alone. However, the spotlight remains on Burnley’s defense, which has set a new Championship record with just nine goals conceded after 28 matches.

“For fans and the media, this is a special match, but for us, we try to treat it like any other game. It’s just three points, the same as against Plymouth earlier this week. We believe in ourselves and are looking forward to kickoff,” said Liam Cullen, who scored on Wednesday and celebrated by tucking the ball under his shirt in honor of his soon-to-be-born child.

Burnley will be without Aaron Ramsey, Enock Agyei, and Jordan Beyer, while Nathan Redmond and Manuel Benson are doubtful.

Joel Piroe, Leeds

Leeds had a slow start to the season, winning only two of their first six matches. However, Daniel Farke’s side has been unstoppable since then, losing just two of their last 24 games and none of their last 10. They sit atop the table as the league’s top scorers but now face the stingiest defense in England. After Sheffield United’s shock loss to Hull, Leeds have a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the promotion race. A win at Turf Moor would open up a four-point gap to The Blades and a six-point gap to Burnley.

No new injuries have been reported for Leeds, but Pascal Struijk and Patrick Bamford remain sidelined.

Betting Tip

Burnley – Leeds
Turf Moor, Monday 9:00 PM on Viaplay
Odds from Betsmith : 3,36 – 3,16 – 2.28

Burnley keeper James Trafford has kept an incredible 18 clean sheets this season, including in the reverse fixture against Leeds at Elland Road. We don’t expect Scott Parker’s side to give much away tonight, even though they’re up against the league’s top scorers. We’re betting on under 2.5 goals.

Championship results

Sheffield United – Hull 0-3

Luton – Millwall 0-1

Norwich – Swansea 5-1

Stoke – Oxford 0-0

Bristol City – Blackburn 2-1

Cardiff – Derby 2-1

Coventry – Watford 2-1

Preston – Middlesbrough 2-1

QPR – Sheffield Wednesday 0-2

Sunderland – Plymouth 2-2

West Brom – Portsmouth 5-1

Burnley – Leeds

Portsmouth – Millwall

The Tipster

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