Burnley v Leeds predictions: Clarets can stand firm

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Burnley v Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 13-5 Betfred

Team news

Burnley
Ashley Westwood and Matej Vydra are doubts. Dale Stephens and Kevin Long are out.

Leeds
Robin Koch is out but Diego Llorente and Adam Forshaw have proved their fitness.

Match preview

Burnley's battle against relegation has not started positively but Leeds haven't hit the headlines either and it's hard to pick a winner at Turf Moor.

The bookies prefer Marcelo Bielsa's visitors and given that it is just three months since they romped to a 4-0 win at Burnley, you can understand their stance.

It's also generally expected that the Clarets will struggle this season and Leeds won't, so all in all there's nothing in the prices that comes as much of a surprise.

But Burnley never do anything without a full-on fight and you can be sure they'll ask plenty of searching questions of their guests, and since there are no guarantees that this season's Leeds will necessarily have all the answers, and can be exposed, this is one War of the Roses which could end up all square.

The problem for Sean Dyche's side is abundantly obvious – they have not scored in five of their last six matches dating back to last term and the only goal they have scored - James Tarkowski's against Brighton a fortnight back - shouldn't have stood.

But they played well enough in that 2-1 home loss to Albion and also gave a good account of themselves at Anfield last weekend, going down 2-0 amid accusations from Jurgen Klopp that they were nothing more than wrestlers.

Three days later they held Newcastle to a 0-0 draw in the League Cup, going through on penalties.

Dyche has options in attack which means the usual tactics – crosses into the box and playing for set-pieces. And that's certainly one of Leeds's areas of weakness. Last season they shipped a league-high 15 goals from set-plays and they can anticipate a stern examination from Chris Wood, Tarkowksi and the rest, especially with the good service which the classy Dwight McNeil pretty much guarantees these days.

As for Leeds, they were torn apart by a rampant Manchester United, losing 5-1, and then came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Everton.

In both games they were too open going backward but a lot of fun going backward and they remain a test for anyone.

Burnley may not get many goals but they should get openings against a side who have offered up 33 chances to their two opponents so far. Burnley, however, have coughed up 41. Admittedly, they've both taken on very attack-minded opponents – Man United and Liverpool – but the reality is they are cut apart far too easily.

Key stat

After two rounds of matches only Tottenham had allowed more shots than Burnley's 41.

Inside info

Burnley

Penalty taker Chris Wood
Free-kick wizard Johann Gudmundsson
Aerial set piece threat James Tarkowski
Card magnet Ashley Westwood

Leeds

Penalty taker Patrick Bamford
Free-kick wizard Raphinha
Aerial set piece threat Pascal Struijk
Card magnet Liam Cooper

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