Leeds vs Burnley – News and Probable Lineups

Leeds United is not yet in secure territory in the fight for Premier League survival as they host the already-relegated Burnley at Elland Road for Friday’s 35th round fixture.

Daniel Farke’s side has been one of the stronger teams in the league lately, remaining unbeaten in five matches, which puts them six points ahead of 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur with four matches remaining.

Match overview

While 40 points is typically considered the safe number to avoid relegation, that figure might not be enough during the 2025-26 Premier League season, with four teams around that total as the season enters its final month.

Leeds has already reached that point, but relegation is still possible if their recent form drops and the teams below them continue to perform well.

In the competition to evade the final relegation spot — Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, and Tottenham — all but the North London club are positioned in the upper half based on the results from the last five matches.

Leeds has picked up nine points in that timeframe, placing them sixth in the form table, just two behind an in-form Forest, looking to increase their points tally in Friday’s match and edge closer to securing their top-flight status.

Historical trends offer Farke’s players additional reasons for encouragement as they enter this weekend on a five-match winning streak against relegated sides, achieving an aggregate score of 18-3.

However, it remains to be seen if Burnley has any fight left after their relegation was confirmed following a 1-0 defeat against title-challenging Manchester City last week.

Scott Parker’s squad has managed just one victory in 25 matches, a 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace after being down 2-0; however, that victory came when survival was still a possibility.

Thus, the Clarets’ motivation will be scrutinized as they make their way to Elland Road, aware of the chance to complete a double over Leeds for only the third time in their history, following records in 1925-26 and 2013-14 in the top tier and Championship, respectively.

With the relegation pressure lifted, perhaps a team that has gained nine of their last 13 Premier League points while playing away will seek another positive result on their travels.

Yet, achieving that goal relies on Burnley breaking their current three-match losing streak on the road, where they have suffered defeats against Everton (2-0), Fulham (3-1), and Forest (4-1), accumulating an aggregate score of 9-2.

Team News

Leeds boasts a fairly fit squad, but Ilia Gruev is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, and they will evaluate Gabriel Gudmundsson’s hamstring issue before Friday.

While Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the top scorer with 11 goals, he has only netted once in his last eight appearances, with his last goal from open play occurring during February’s 3-1 victory over Forest.

On the other hand, Noah Okafor has been in excellent form for Farke’s team, scoring five of his seven goals since the beginning of February, marking him as the team’s key attacking threat.

Relegated Burnley face multiple challenges as they head into this weekend, with Josh Cullen (knee), Connor Roberts (calf), and Jordânia Beyer (thigh) ruled out; however, Hannibal Mejbri (thigh), Axel Tuanzebe (calf), and Zeki Amdouni (knee) are nearing their returns.

Zian Flemming is one goal away from matching the records of Chris Wood (2020-21) and Danny Ings (2014-15) as the only Burnley players to hit double figures in the top league, with Wood scoring 12 and Ings 11.

Flemming enters Friday’s match with confidence, as eight of his nine Premier League goals have been scored in away fixtures, including three in succession at Forest, Fulham, and Chelsea.

Leeds United probable starting XI:

Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin

Burnley probable starting XI:

Dubravka; Walker, Ekdal, Humphreys, Esteve, Hartman; Tchaouna, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Anthony; Flemming

Though Leeds are favored to defeat Burnley, they need to display a different form compared to the one that failed to score in three consecutive matches at Elland Road before netting three against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time.

We anticipate that the Whites will follow up their success against one relegated team by edging out Burnley on Friday evening, extending their unbeaten run and taking another stride toward Premier League survival.