Key events
3 min A frantic start with no shape to it; Leeds haven’t passed it with their usual precision and Burnley are eager to get in among them.
1 min The away end are in good voice, though again, credit where it’s due: Elland Road, when it’s good, is that contemporary rarity: a ground that has people acting like bams in every stand, not just behind the goals.
1 min Away we go
On the other hand, Daniel Farke has gone into the barber and insisted on a 90s mettlar look, then tipexxed “Rancid”, “Biohazard”, “Pantera” and “Therapy?” on to his pencil case.
Credit where due, there are some good heads of hair in this Leeds XI; Seth Johnson could never.
And here they come!
Our teams tunnel. Leeds’ tracky top has an unusual strait-jacket effect.
So where is the game? Burnley will look to absorb pressure then counter, I think, shutting down space in behind and cluttering the middle of the pitch, forcing Leeds to go around them. That makes Daniel James an important player, but he’ll need help from Jayden Bogle behind him, while I’d expect the in-form Manor Solomon to float about seeking pockets.
The more I think about it, the more I fancy Leeds, even though Burnley are unbeaten at home this season; seven games no goals conceded is mighty impressive, but no opponent had attackers or bench options remotely comparable to those they’ll face tonight.
The last time Burnley conceded a goal was nine hours 10 minutes ago, at Watford on 21st December. They may, though, feel pressure to push men forward tonight in search of a win.
Parker tells Sky his side won last time the sides met because of their resilience, but he’s hoping for a bit more quality this time.
Farke, meanwhile, explains that Gruev is back because it’s a big game and he’s fit, but also Rothwell has been forced to play a lot in his absence.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Ao Tanaka. I’ve not seen loads of Leeds this term but like what I’ve seen of him, and am reliably informed by a Leeds-supporting mate that he’s been there best player.
Email! “You drew the long straw then?” asks Jeremy Boyce. “This is as tasty a match up as you suggested. Top scorers v top defenders. Top of the table v third, in a group of four class teams, two of which will have to go through the nightmare of the playoffs, and they all have experience of that. Is the top of the Championship better than the bottom of the Prem? We’ll find out next season. Burnley need a four-goal win to go top tonight, but I’m thinking a regulation Scott Parker 1-0 would do them. Leeds will need all of their 66% possession to break down the Clarets’ defence. Fast start? Solomon four mins? We’ll find out shortly.”
I can’t see Burnley shutting Leeds out a second time – they won 1-0 at Elland Road earlier in the season – nor can I see anyone finishing above Leeds. They just have too many ways of scoring.
On the other hand, Leeds have weaknesses at either end of the pitch. In net, Illan Meslier has endured a miserable period and isn’t necessarily over it, while up front, Joël Piroe isn’t the class of the players behind him.
Leeds will certainly ask some different questions of them. In particular, the three behind the striker – James, Aaronson and Solomon – are capable of causing problems, able to carry the ball, attack space and shoot. It’s a terrific blend, which is why players as talented as Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani are on the bench.
There were signs in midweek that Burnley, owners of the best defensive record in the country, are looking to play more expansively. It may simply be that they were playing Plymouth, the bottom team, but they may also feel that in order to get one of the two automatic promotion places, more goals will be necessary.
And Daniel Farke does likewise, bringing in Gruev, back from injury, for Rothwell in midfield.
Scott E. Parker makes one change to the side which clobbered Plymouth, Humphreys replacing Pires at left-back.
I’m going to get the car for my wife and write these teams down, then we’ll have a think about what they mean.
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu says the players are excited. There’ll be two teams trying to win the game and both teams are good.
More news as I get it.
Teams!
Burnley (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Humphreys; Cullen, Laurent; Anthony, Brownhill, Foster; Flemming. Subs: Worrall, Sarmiento, Rodriguez, Egan, Pires, Mejbri, Koleosho, Hladky, Barnes.
Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Ampadu, Rodon, Byram; Gruev, Tanaka; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe. Subs: Darlow, Schmidt, Firpo, Wöber, Rothwell, Guilavogui, Ramazani, Gnont, Joseph.
Preamble
Pre-match, it’s the job of the MBMer to amp up the situation. Generally speaking, this an easy activity, given one of the reasons football keeps us coming back is the prospect that, with no warning, we might see something brilliant, hilarious or disgraceful.
But sometimes there’s a game of such obvious import and interest that is does all the work by itself, and Burnley v Leeds is one such.
The home side, third in the league, are in pretty decent form, having walloped Plymouth 5-0 in midweek and won six of their last 10 games, while the visitors – three points ahead – and one ahead of Sheffield United with a game in hand – have won seven. They, along with Sunderland – four points off the lead in fourth – are well clear of the pack, automatic promotion likely to go to two of the four.
Tonight’s match-up is also fascinating because it features the division’s best attack – Leeds’ 53 goals is five more than Norwich – against its best defence – Burnley’s nine conceded is 10 fewer than tonight’s opponents. And if to all that you add a night game under the lights along with some of the best individuals outside the Premier League, you have a tantalising prospect primed to elevate our evening.
Kick-off: 8pm GMT