Burnley are looking to continue their promotion challenge with victory away to Leeds United at Elland Road this Saturday
The Pre-amble:
The Clarets are in buoyant mood at the moment having made their best start for 12 years. They are currently fourth in the Championship table with 14 points from 7 games just three points behind current league leaders, QPR. They face a tough challenge next though and travel to Elland Road this Saturday for a War of the Roses clash against Leeds United. Leeds boss Brian McDermott will be hoping to spoil the Clarets party and get the Yorkshire side`s own promotion challenge back on track. They are currently in 11th spot with 11 points just three behind the Clarets so the scene is set for a good match.
Leeds United Team News:
Leeds will be without suspended defender Stephen Warnock. The left back was sent off for a late second yellow card in Leeds midweek defeat at Reading and sits out a one-match ban.
On the opposite flank, right-back Lee Peltier is struggling to overcome a groin problem and was unable to play on Wednesday night. Teenage defender Sam Byram could be in contention after recovering from a hip injury and might be available for the first time this season.
Another defender, Aidy White, was recalled to the substitutes’ bench at Reading and could also come into contention. The 21 year old looks set to feature according to the local media and could make a start.
Player to watch: Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack is currently Leeds top scorer with four goals so far this season. The 27 year old striker-cum-winger will need to be kept in check. McCormack completed a move from Cardiff City to Leeds in August 2010 for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a three-year contract and since that time he has notched up 28 goals in 102 appearances. (About 1-in-3.5 games)
Burnley Team News:
The only player out injured at the moment is Ross Wallace. He is still recovering from a ‘wear and tear` knee injury that required surgery. He is not expected to feature until after Christmas although the winger might be hoping for an earlier return if things go according to plan. Ben Mee suffered a bout of sickness in the Birmingham game on Tuesday night and had to be substituted at half-time. He has now recovered so his stand-in left back Danny Lafferty may well return to the bench.
Player to watch: Danny Ings
The 21 year old striker is on fire at the moment and is already attracting interest from Premier League clubs. His tally so far is seven for the season and that includes a brace of goals scored in our last game at home to Birmingham on Tuesday night. He has scored four goals in the last four games and Clarets fans will be hoping he can add to his tally on Saturday.
Team & Tactics:
With Ben Mee having recovered from his bout of sickness, Sean Dyche could be tempted to name the same starting eleven and eighteen for the Leeds clash. Burnley convincingly beat Birmingham 3-0 on Tuesday night and the same line-up could be selected again for the third game in succession.
That in summary would mean :
Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Kightly, Jones, Marney, Arfield, Ings, Vokes
Subs: Cisak, Lafferty, Long, Edgar, Stock, Stanislas, Treacy
Ref Watch:
Premier League referee Lee Probert will be in charge of this War of the Roses clash. The Wiltshire referee has only featured in three games so far this season but he has still managed to send one player off and flash two yellow cards. His last game involving the Clarets was back in January 2012 when Burnley drew 0-0 at home against Derby County.
Match Prediction:
Although I hope we can shade this one, this match has ‘draw` written all over it and 2-2 sounds about right.
Next Match:
Burnley are back in action in the Capital One Cup on the night of Tuesday 24th September and face Nottingham Forest in the third round tie at Turf Moor (Kick-Off: 7.45pm). Championship action returns the following Saturday 28th September with another home game this time against Charlton Athletic (Kick-Off: 3pm)
