Two teams battling it out at the top of the Championship table are set to come together on Monday night when Burnley host Leeds United at Turf Moor.
The hosts are third in the table with 56 points from 28 league fixtures, while the visitors are top of the standings with 59 points from their 28 matches.
Match preview
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Burnley have bounced back and forth between the Premier League and the Championship in recent seasons, relegated from the top flight in both 2021-22 and 2023-24 and earning promotion from the second division in 2022-23.
The Clarets entered this season determined to secure another immediate return to the Premier League, and under Scott Parker, who took over in July 2024, they are firmly in the title race over halfway through the campaign.
Burnley have secured 56 points from their 28 matches - after 15 wins, 11 draws and two defeats - leaving them just three points behind league leaders Leeds United, meaning a win in this one would see them draw level on points in first place.
They will be heading into the game in great spirits, having avoided defeat in their last 16 matches across all competitions, while they are also one of just two sides still yet to be beaten at their home ground in the league, with six wins and seven draws from 13 fixtures.
The Clarets were also victorious against Leeds Utd in the reverse fixture in September, a 1-0 victory thanks to Luca Koleosho's goal, but that is their only win in the last six meetings.
As for Leeds, following their relegation from the Premier League in the 2022-23 season, they have been battling to secure a return to the top flight over the past season and a half.
The Whites were involved in a sensational promotion battle alongside Leicester City and Ipswich Town last term, excruciatingly missing out on the automatic promotion spots by six points, largely due to a disappointing end to the campaign that saw Leeds win just one of their last six fixtures.
However, they have returned with a vengeance this season, sitting top of the Championship table with 59 points from 28 outings, after 17 wins, eight draws and three defeats.
A challenging beginning to the term saw Daniel Farke's side record just two wins from their opening six outings across all competitions, with two defeats and two draws, but just two defeats in the following 24 has them in superb form heading into this one.
That run includes the Whites being undefeated in their past 11 outings, including keeping clean sheets in their last three, factors that will give them huge confidence heading into the title battle with Burnley.
A victory would see Leeds move four points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, who suffered a shock defeat to Hull City this weekend, and six ahead of Monday's opponents, a strong position to march closer to the title and promotion.
Team News
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Burnley will be without the services of Aaron Ramsey (cruciate ligament), Enock Agyei (leg) and Jordan Beyer (hamstring) for this match, while Nathan Redmond and Manuel Benson have returned to first-team training but remain doubtful.
An exceptional 5-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in their last match might mean Parker opts to stick with a similar lineup here, with Zian Flemming, who netted twice in that game, likely leading the attack once again.
James Trafford has kept a league-high 18 clean sheets this season, including in all of his last six appearances, and he will certainly retain his place behind a central defensive partnership of CJ Egan-Riley and Maxime Esteve.
The visitors will be unable to call upon Pascal Struijk (hamstring) and Patrick Bamford (hamstring), meaning Ethan Ampadu will keep his place in defence and Joel Piroe will lead the line.
Daniel James and Manor Solomon each scored in the recent 2-0 victory against Norwich City, and the two are expected to start from wide positions once again, keeping fan favourite Largie Ramazani on the bench.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Laurent; Anthony, Brownhill, Foster; Flemming
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe
We say: Burnley 1-1 Leeds United
Both teams are in fantastic form heading into this one - the hosts unbeaten in 16 and the visitors undefeated in 11 - leading us to expect an extremely tight affair that we believe will end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
