Our live stream ahead of Sundays Premier League match, Leeds vs Burnley is now up and running, kicking off at 12.00 GMT
You can keep an eye on the commentary as it happens below, but first, we take a preview into the fixture, lineups, predictions and much more…
Leeds come into this game off the back of their biggest defeat since returning to the top flight. It was a sobering day for Leeds as rivals Manchester United beat them 6-2 at Old Trafford.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that his team will not be changing their approach and suggestions that the Whites could alter their playing style have been firmly shut down by Bielsa.
Leeds have been one of the entertainers in the Premier League this season, scoring 24 times and conceding 30, and picking up 17 points from their 14 matches to sit 14th in the table.
The newly-promoted club are seven points clear of the bottom three heading into the Boxing Day fixtures and have won five times in the league this term, which is a solid return taking everything into consideration.
Burnley, on the other hand, will enter this weekend’s contest in strong form, picking up eight points from their last four matches with Everton, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, beating the latter 2-1 on Monday night.
Sean Dyche’s side have won at Arsenal and drawn with Villa in their last two league matches on the road, and a strong run has allowed them to move three points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Goals have been a real issue for the Clarets this term – finding the back of the net in just eight of their 13 matches – and the fact that their leading scorer in the league this season is Chris Wood with three goals is a concern, particularly considering that Ashley Barnes, Jay Rodriguez, Dwight McNeil and Matej Vydra have just one between them.
Leeds currently sit 14th in the Premier League, having picked up 17 points from their 14 matches this term, while in-form Burnley are 16th, four points behind their opponents this weekend with a game in hand.
The two clubs last met in 2017 in the third round of the Carabao Cup, with Leeds progressing to the next round having won 5-3 on penalties…
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Marcelo Bielsa
Injury news?
“Cooper has a strain in his abdominal. Llorente is in condition to play again.”
“Cooper is subject to his evolution.”
What did you learn from the Manchester United defeat? How can you improve defensively?
“We have to analyse the last game in a very detailed manner to pick up the correct conclusions from the game.”
“The only conclusion that I have had regards to the last game is that we have to modify our style of play.”
“The real concrete reasons as to why we lost were not taken into account. This is not something new as the media platform and journalists can only analyse results.”
“Normally when there is adversity what you guys do is try to weaken the one who is facing the adversity.”
“I’m referring to the comment that Leeds’ style of play is very attractive to their opponents.”
“What really happened with the game is nothing to do with the press. There are some voices who have the capacity to analyse looking past the result.”
“It offers some kind of understanding and tries to interpret what happens on the pitch. I don’t worry too much about what the press thinks.”
“I always listen and read and try to take the best message from what is written. What does worry me is that what is written influences the public.”
How can you make sure the media scrutiny doesn’t destabilise players?
“I don’t worry about the objectives of the questions that the press ask. If I did then I wouldn’t be able to manage.”
“When you guys suggest to the players that they should suggest to the coach the style should be changed that’s not the problem.”
“I always have to convince them and overcome obstacles to convince. What worries me about the press is the effect it has on the public.”
“The explanation I give, I give it for the public not the press – I know I lose in this battle. I know the public needs a simpler explanation and this is a complex one.”
“I take all day to explain my conclusions to make sure it is right.”
Burnley and West Brom – pressure on to get results this week?
“There is no easy game to win. All the points have value.”
Sean Dyche
On injuries
“We are beginning to get the group back together”
“Corky has been making good progress, he has come through a game today pretty well.”
“Johann is out there and getting minutes in.”
“We are waiting on news on Dwight McNeil and Robbie Brady.”
“We are hopeful on Robbie for the Leeds game and possibly Dwight as well so we will wait and see.”
On taking on Leeds
“I am not bothered about what they do apart from trying to beat them.”
“They are almost man to man across the pitch.”
“They have had an up and down season so far.”
“Overall I think they will be pleased with where they sit”
“They are a good side”
“They have not been as strong as they would like from set pieces and we are strong from set pieces.”
“Our stats suggest that we are capable physically.”
“Statistically we are often in and among the frontrunners with physical energy”
On January window
“Until I am told different we will just do what we will always do and try and align players that will help.”
“It is always a difficult challenge financially and I don’t know if that will change if and when a new owner comes in”
On his former Leeds players
“Charlie I felt the other night was excellent.”
“The more he plays forward he seems to grown and improve.”
“Woody – his goals over time here prove that he is capable.”
“They have been good for us so far and still are. We want them to continue developing and improving and learning.”
On festive fixtures
“Don’t think we really need to be playing two games in three days but the schedule is what it is and we have”
“Everyone outside of the superpowers, the usual six, then we have shown we can be effective and get points and wins against them.”
“I think we have a balanced view no matter who you are playing”
On Leeds style
“I am sure whatever style they are choosing to play, I am sure the manager is well aware there has to be results.”
“He sees his and the team’s way of doing things as the most effective way of getting results. Most managers do think like that.”
“The game has changed in that some managers I speak to and have spoken to look at it differently, the way they play is sometimes nearly as important as getting results. I have always found that a peculiar one personally because we are in a results business.”
“But every manager will have a view on that.”
“I am pretty sure that Bielsa is not just thinking it is about style, he will be well versed in the game to know that whatever style it is you have to find results.”
FORM:
Leeds United Premier League form: DWLLWL
Burnley Premier League form: WLDWDW
LINEUPS:
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Llorente, Alioski; Harrison, Klich, Phillips, Rodrigo, Raphinha; Bamford
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Brady, Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
THATSAGOAL TIP:
Under 2.5 Goals – 5/4 with FanTeam
Burnley have featured in matches with over 2.5 goals in just two of their Premier League games since November. One of those games was there 2-1 win over Wolves in their last league game in which the Clartes conceded a late consolation penalty.
Leeds have had some very high scoring fixtures, with their eight-goal thriller against Manchester United last time around the most goal-laden so far. The man to man high pressing tactic employed by Bielsa is unlikely to change but Burnley’s low block should counter it to bring down the scoreline to more reasonable levels.
Time to take a look at our Leeds vs Burnley live match stream as it happens…
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