Burnley vs. Leeds United
Venue: Turf Moor
Kick off: 2PM
Burnley welcome Leeds United to Turf Moor this afternoon, with the two sides looking to claim their first three points of the new season.
Both clubs head into this fixture after progressing from the second round of the League Cup in midweek, with the Clarets forced to beat Newcastle United on penalties, while the Whites secured a routine victory against League One opposition.
Burnley were unable to replicate their impressive victory at Anfield in January, as they were defeated 2-0 by Liverpool last weekend.
Goals either side of half time from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane condemned the Clarets to their second successive defeat after losing to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day.
Since then, Sean Dyche’s men progressed from the second round of the League Cup after beating Newcastle 4-3 on penalties at St James’ Park following a goalless draw in 90 minutes.
Wayne Hennessey pulled off three saves in Wednesday’s shootout on his debut for Dyche’s side, who have been rewarded with a favourable third-round tie at home to League Two outfit Rochdale next month.
Burnley now turn their attention back to the Premier League – a competition which remains their priority – with a home clash against Leeds United, who thrashed them 4-0 at Turf Moor last season, inflicting Dyche’s joint-heaviest top-flight defeat on home soil since he took charge in 2012.
The Clarets have in fact lost each of their last five league games at Turf Moor; they have only suffered a longer run of home league defeats once in their history, losing seven consecutive matches back in February 1890.
Dyche will not be too concerned with his side’s slow start at such an early stage to the campaign, but a positive result today could be the springboard they need to put a positive run of form together.
Like Burnley, Leeds United are yet to claim all three points from a Premier League game this season, though they were able to come from behind twice to rescue a solitary point at home against Everton last weekend.
A brilliant curling effort from Raphinha in the 72nd minute ultimately secured a point for the Whites, in front of over 36,000 roaring home supporters who could finally see Premier League football at Elland Road for the first time since 2004.
Around 34,000 were also in attendance for their League Cup clash against Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night, with Marcelo Bielsa’s men securing a comfortable 3-0 win against the League One outfit, with a third-round tie away at Fulham awaiting next month.
Bielsa’s side have provided thrilling entertainment for the neutral with 13 match goals across their opening three games, but as exciting as his expansive brand of football is to watch, their efforts defensively are certainly a cause for concern.
Leeds conceded 54 top-flight goals last season and have already let seven strikes in this term; the Whites must tighten up at the back if they are to not only avoid the dreaded second-season syndrome, but also build on an impressive ninth-place finish from last season.
Since their return to the Premier League, Leeds are yet to draw away from home, winning and losing 10 games each. An emphatic 4-0 victory was secured in this fixture last season, and with that in mind, they will be confident of securing their first three points of the new season today.
Burnley possible XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.
Leeds United possible XI: Meslier, Ayling, Struijk, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinia, Dallas, Klich, Harrison, Bamford