Chris Sutton, Paul Merson & Alan Shearer in complete agreement with Leeds United vs Burnley predictions
Leeds United welcome the Clarets to Elland Road for another big Premier League clash this evening.
Chris Sutton expects Leeds United to cap off an ‘outstanding’ season by virtually securing Premier League safety with a comfortable win over Burnley tonight.
Daniel Farke’s side know victory against the already-relegated Clarets would just about guarantee survival, taking them onto 43 points with three games to play. Their Friday-night visitors saw a return to the Championship confirmed last week before parting ways with manager Scott Parker on Thursday.
An injury-hit Leeds lost the reverse fixture 2-0 at Turf Moor in October but created more than enough chances to win and have since kicked on. Sutton expected them to get over the line this evening and has praised Farke for turning things around at Elland Road.
In his predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: “Burnley are down and searching for a new manager, but Leeds go marching on together - they have had an outstanding campaign under Daniel Farke even if their performance against Chelsea in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final was disappointing compared to their recent form.
“If Leeds lose this, then it is squeaky bum time for them with games to come against Tottenham and West Ham, but they won't mess up. For me, this is the result that will secure their safety. Yes, there would still be work to do, but if there ever was a gimme this season then it is playing Burnley at home. Sutton's prediction: 2-0”
Paul Merson and Alan Shearer in agreement over Leeds United predictions
Should Leeds take all three points then they would reach a tally that has never resulted in relegation from a 20-team Premier League. And former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is in complete agreement with Sutton, also predicting a win and clean sheet.
“It all depends on how much the FA Cup loss to Chelsea took out of Leeds,” he told Sportskeeda. “But to be fair, they had their moments even in that defeat at Wembley. So I expect Leeds to officially mark themselves safe from relegation in this fixture. It has been the perfect season for Leeds.
“Securing safety and reaching the FA Cup final is something they would be happy about. However, I'm quite sure they rather not have the drama of the relegation battle next season. Leeds have hit a major purple patch only in the last seven games.
“When the new season rolls on, they will be expecting themselves to do a lot better than being in a relegation battle again. This is Leeds' cup final and I expect them to win quite comfortably. Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Burnley.”
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer also expects survival to be all but confirmed tonight. He told the Metro via Betfair: “I think Leeds will stay up and beat Burnley on Friday. I think all of those teams, particularly Leeds, seem as if they’ve got a bit of momentum and found form at the right time. I think it’s been there for a couple of weeks now.
“I don’t think Leeds will go down, and I think if they win this weekend, which I expect them to, then that’ll be enough for them, and they can all relax. Not have a party, but they can all relax. Prediction - Leeds win.”