With the international break gone, attention shifts to Leeds United’s challenging match against Burnley this weekend, and Championship analyst Sam Parkin predicts the outcome.
Leeds had made a great start to the 2024-25 Championship season, despite a poor start on the first day, when Daniel Farke’s side were unable to beat Portsmouth and came near to losing.
A topsy-turvy game in which Leeds fell behind 3-2 after a penalty, only for Brenden Aaronson to equalise and then waste a glorious opportunity to put Leeds 4-3 ahead. Then came a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.
That happened in the Carabao Cup, but since then, Leeds has kept three clean sheets in a row, beginning with a good draw against West Brom and continuing with 2-0 victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, leaving them in fourth place.
Sam Parkin forecasts Leeds’ showdown against Burnley on Saturday.
Burnley, on the other hand, has lost four games in a row, including a setback to early leaders Sunderland. Scott Parker’s side is brand new, with several new recruits, including Jaidon Anthony on loan.
Connor Roberts has returned to Burnley from Leeds, and the duo combined on the right in Burnley’s most recent game, a 1-1 draw against Blackburn. They are winless in three games, including a loss against Wolves in the cup.
Football League veteran Parkin told the What The EFL?! podcast that he believes Leeds are the slight favourites to win the game on Saturday because they have home advantage and Burnley have flattered to deceive.
“They create a lot more than Burnley. Burnley’s ten-goal return flatters them immensely. Leeds have suddenly looked robust after conceding six goals in their first two games.
“I make Leeds the favourites.” “Just with the continuity that they have with Daniel Farke and less carnage, I’d fancy them to win this one narrowly,” Parkin said when asked who will win on Saturday.
Injury status of Leeds squad before of Burnley game
Leeds have the potential for three injuries. Wilfried Gnonto was substituted at half-time in the first of two Italy U21 games during the break, but he assured Leeds that he was well.
He played the majority of Italy’s next game, so no worries there. Leeds could have three injuries: Dan James, Patrick Bamford, and Max Wober. According to reports, Wober had a knee injury while playing for Austria.
Bamford missed the win over Hull, and given his injury history, it is likely he will be sidelined until he is totally fit again. With James, it may be a question of touch and go on whether his hamstring issue is healed before Saturday.
