Leeds United are back at Elland Road for the penultimate time this season when they host managerless Burnley tonight. The Whites will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointing FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea and know a victory against the already-relegated Clarets would virtually guarantee survival.
For the second consecutive game, Farke will face an interim boss with Mike Jackson taking charge of Burnley following Scott Parker’s exit on Thursday. The Leeds boss confirmed earlier this week he will be without Gabriel Gudmundsson and Ilia Gruev, while there are doubts elsewhere.
Noah Okafor and Jaka Bijol are both carrying minor issues but Farke was more optimistic than not over their availability for this evening’s huge clash. And with that in mind, the YEP has attempted to predict how the Whites could line up as they look to pull away from relegation trouble once and for all.
7. CM: Ethan Ampadu
Another who just looked a little off it at Wembley, but another who has otherwise been brilliant. The combative captain must be at his best to keep Leeds on the front foot like he did against Wolves. | Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
8. CM: Ao Tanaka
With Burnley expected to sit back and keep it tight, Leeds need their best midfield passer involved from the start. The kind of game in which Tanaka should shine, having struggled like many against Chelsea. | Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
9. CM: Anton Stach
Made a positive impact off the bench at Wembley upon his return from an ankle injury. Will be tasked with winning possession high up the pitch and creating chances in rare moments when Burnley are unbalanced. | Getty Images
10. LWB: James Justin
Continues to be such a consistent performer and will have few problems covering for Gabi Gudmundsson defensively. There is an obvious drop in attacking threat, however, given Justin is not naturally inclined to burst down the wing on his weaker foot. | John Walton/PA Wire
11. ST: Noah Okafor
Another potential boost for Leeds if Okafor can recover from a small calf knock in time to feature. He'll be needed too, as the best one-v-one dribbler against a deep-lying Burnley. | Getty Images
12. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Farke was relaxed over the striker's open-play goal drought earlier this week but he could really do with hitting form again. Friday would be the perfect time to do it. Hold up play has still been excellent regardless. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire