Leeds United at Burnley preview: The Carabao Cup at Turf Moor
It’s a battle against two snakes, but a depleted Whites side could struggle on the road on Tuesday night.
Leeds United have an opportunity on Tuesday evening to quickly put Saturday’s defeat at Millwall behind them in the short trip across the Pennines to Turf Moor, home of Burnley FC.
But Tuesday’s third round Carabao Cup tie is also an opportunity to rest some key players who have featured in most of Leeds United’s games this season. Christiansen might choose to let fans take a look at new signings and fringe players like Cibicki, Gomes and Klich. Injuries may also force TC’s hand into making defensive changes and bringing back Berardi and Pennington, if fit.
The main focus for Leeds United fans is always the League, but any game should spark interest amongst the loyal fan base, and no less this one with the twist of playing against former fan favourites Chris Wood and the White’s academy product, Charlie Taylor, who defected to the Clarets in August.
Taylor has been reduced to just one cup appearance so far for Burnley whilst Wood has made 4 appearances, netting twice. Both Wood and Taylor know the score, and if they feature, they will get short shrift from the 2,000+ United faithful who will make the journey.
There will also be a few boos and hisses heard back at Elland Road as the game is again being beamed back to fans that can’t make the trip.
What we know about Burnley
Sean Dyche has built a good squad that now has some depth of quality, youth and experience. He also has inside knowledge from the two defectors. This for me could be another reason to play our players who are as of yet an unknown quantity.
For experience, they have brought in forward Jonathan Walters and defender Phil Bardsley, both from Stoke. For youth, Charlie Taylor and Nahki Wells. And of course, their record signing is Chris Wood at £15 million.
Notable departures this season were Joey Barton, Andre Gray and Michael Keane.
Despite their long history (formed in 1882) the Lancashire club have never won the League Cup.
They reached the 3rd round this season after defeating local rivals Blackburn.
Tactical approach
Going into the game as clear favourites, Sean Dyche will see the fixture as winnable, yet like Leeds, Burnley’s focus this season will be on their League campaign. He will use his squad depth and blood some of his new arrivals.
I predict he will blend youth with experience. Expect Taylor and Bardsley to start and also pair Wells and Walters up front. Dyche will likely opt to use first team regulars Vokes and Wood from the bench if required.
Although Christiansen has been quoted before as saying that the team he picks is the team he expects can win the game, I feel he will have a similar tactical approach to that of his counterpart and include in his line up fringe players. However, I doubt we will see a completely different team to the league lineups as Garry Monk chose to do in his EFL Cup teams.
I’d like to see Grot get more game time as I felt he still looked a little rusty at Millwall. I’m hoping to see Cibicki make his debut alongside him. Klich also needs minutes as does Vieira and the duo would make an ideal holding midfield pair for this game.
Keeping Burnley at bay for the duration then going through on penalties may be the way forward for United.
Injury News
Christiansen commented on Cooper after the Millwall defeat stating he doubted Cooper would be ready for this game. Ekuban is a long term absentee, whilst there are also doubts about Jansson after a slight injury on Saturday. Pennington has resumed training and could feature.
Burnley’s England goal keeper Tom Heaton will be out for 4 months after an operation on his shoulder. Anders Lindegaard has been taken on trial and this game may be an opportunity for him. Nahki Wells has recovered from a minor operation.
Form
Leeds: W| W | W | W | L
Burnley: L | W | D |W | D
Head to Head
There have been 29 previous meetings at Burnley in which Leeds have won 12 Burnley 11 and 6 drawn.
WHAT
Burnley vs. Leeds United
Carabao Cup Third Round
WHERE
Turf Moor, Burnley
LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds, Beamback @ Elland Road, Talksport, ESPN3
WHEN
Tuesday, 19 September 2017
7:45 pm BT
WHO
Leeds United predicted starting XI
Wiedwald, Berardi, Pennington, Shaughnessy, Ayling, Dallas, Klich, Vieira, Alioski, Roofe, Grot
Burnley predicted starting XI
Pope, Taylor, Long, Tarkowski, Bardsley, Berg Gudmunsson, Cork, Westwood, Wells, Walters, Barnes
ODDS
Leeds 15/4
Draw 13/5
Burnley 3/4
PREDICTION
Burnley may have too much for a depleted Whites side, but we’ve shown we have a water tight defence. It’s possible to snatch a draw and go through on penalties. 1–1 at the final whistle, Leeds to advance.
