Leeds United are gearing up for a key Premier League clash at home to Burnley on Friday night, looking to bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
Daniel Farke and his squad will be keen to put that disappointment behind them quickly and produce a strong performance at Elland Road to round off the week on a positive note.
With 40 points already in the bag, often seen as the benchmark for survival, Leeds know that a win over Burnley would all but confirm their place in the Premier League next season.
However, Daniel Farke still has to make a few key decisions on his team selection ahead of Friday night, amid doubts over the fitness of a couple of players.
Joe Rodon is set to start for Leeds against Burnley, but Anton Stach will remain on the bench
Rodon recently returned from an injury setback and came on from the bench at Bournemouth and against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
The Welshman is being kept out of the team by a Leeds defence working well, with James Justin playing as one of the centre-backs.
However, a chance is likely to happen against Burnley as Justin will return to the left wing-back position in the absence of the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson.
This will pave the way for Rodon to return to the starting eleven as part of the back three for Leeds at Elland Road on Friday night.
Farke is also unsure about Jaka Bijol’s fitness ahead of the Burnley clash, and his absence could force another defensive shake-up.
Anton Stach was a surprise inclusion in the FA Cup semi-final squad, as there were big question marks around him due to an ankle injury.
He came on from the bench at Wembley and impressed. However, he is likely to remain on the bench against Burnely as Farke looks to ease him back into action.
Ao Tanaka has also not done much wrong to get dropped, and so, it makes sense for him to continue in the eleven on Friday night.
Leeds predicted XI: Darlow, Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Justin, Ampadu, Tanaka, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
One more team will have their eyes on Elland Road this Friday
Leeds United aren’t mathematically safe yet, but with just four games remaining, it would take a remarkable collapse for them to be dragged back into the relegation scrap.
That said, a home win over Burnley would ease any lingering nerves and likely move Leeds beyond Tottenham’s reach in the table.
In a twist that could suit Spurs, with Leeds due in north London next month, they’d much rather face a side with little at stake than one still fighting for survival.
With that fixture shaping up as a must-win for Tottenham, a more relaxed Leeds team would be a far more comfortable opponent.
