Michael Owen predicts result of Leeds United clash against Burnley
Leeds United host Burnley on Sunday (2 January) at Elland Road, and Marcelo Bielsa will hope his side can finally pick up their fourth league win of 2021-22.
The Elland Road outfit have been handed a couple of injury boosts after they were forced to postpone their last two games, and Michael Owen believes a win could be on the cards for them when Sean Dyche’s men come visiting.
He has predicted a 2-1 win for Leeds in his BetVictor column, reckoning the hosts would narrowly edge it out due to their expansive style of football.
Owen said: “Leeds have been struggling recently and a lot of that has come down to injuries. They don’t have the biggest of squads, so when they do get injuries, it really hurts this side.
“I say it almost every week, but Burnley’s issue is that they don’t score enough goals. Sean Dyche has done an incredible job at Burnley, but it will be difficult to keep them up this season without any January additions.
“This should be an interesting game; we’ve got a real clash of styles here. These two drew 1-1 all Turf Moor and I can see Leeds going one better here. 2-1 Leeds.”
Six-pointer
Burnley have won just once all season, but they are just five points behind the Whites and do have two games in hand.
Both teams are playing for survival tomorrow, and Leeds just have to win to keep their chances of playing in the Premier League next season alive.
While Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Jamie Shackleton, Charlie Cresswell, Rodrigo Moreno and Pascal Struijk are all currently sidelined due to injuries, Bielsa will have Junior Firpo, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Dan James available for selection.
Leeds should have enough in the tank to beat Burnley, but that will not come easy.
The Clarets have only conceded 24 goals – less than the likes of West Ham and Manchester United – and breaking down such a resolute backline is always tough.
The Whites are averaging just a goal per game this season, and they will need to do more in attack against Burnley.
A fierce clash is definitely on the cards, and it will be interesting to see how it pans out.
In other Leeds United news, Whites chiefs recently jetted out of the UK for talks.