After Tuesday night’s much better performance against QPR, Leeds fans will hoping for a similar performance against Burnley this afternoon.
However, high-flying Burnley will represent a different kettle of fish to QPR. Sitting atop the table and on a good run of form, the Lancastrians being unbeaten in 17.
Leeds’ oft-troubled defence, that seems to shift between resolute and seimic tomfoolery at the flip of a switch, will face a savage test at the hands of a Burnley attack fronted by £9m, 21-goal Andre Gray and 13-goal, Championship Player of the Month Sam Voakes – a man who knows what it is like to play in both shirts – having enjoyed a loan spell at Elland Road.
Leeds themselves have shown that, Brighton aside, they can stand toe-to-toe with the big teams with decent results against Middlesbrough at Elland Road (0-0 draw), Derby home and away (2-1 win, 2-2 draw) and Hull City at home (2-1 win) – Leeds even drew 1-1 on the opening day of the season against today’s opponents. However, as Sean Dyche has said, Leeds will face a different Burnley beast in today’s encounter.
Leeds United team
#lufc team vs @BurnleyOfficial | Silvestri, Berardi, Bamba, Cooper, Taylor, Diagouraga, Murphy, Cook, Dallas, Carayol, Wood.
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 9, 2016
#lufc subs vs @BurnleyOfficial | Peacock-Farrell, Coyle, Bellusci, Adeyemi, Phillips, Mowatt, Antenucci.
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 9, 2016
Steve Evans’ selection for today shows three changes from Tuesday’s game against QPR with Sol Bamba starting at centre-back in place of Giuseppe Bellusci, who drops to the bench. Liam Bridcutt isn’t fit so drops out of the squad altogether with Toumani Diagouraga coming into the starting XI and Kalvin Phillips filling the spare place on the bench. The one change Leeds fans knew about was Marco Silvestri regaining his place between the sticks and Bailey Peacock-Farell dropping to the bench.
With Leeds United facing the league leaders, a team in a very impressive run of form and unbeaten in 17, fans have understandably been a little apprehensive as to what team Steve Evans will put out to face the Clarets. Now they have their answer, Twitter is filling up with fans giving their reactions.
Steve Evans justifies his team selection
WATCH | Steve Evans talks @leedsunitedtv through his #lufc team selection to face @BurnleyOfficial https://t.co/SVABqy57Fz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 9, 2016
Leeds United team news vs Burnley – fans reaction
This Leeds fan simply says that the team need to get amongst the Burnley players.
Would love to see someone like Cook smash Barton in the opening exchanges. Let him know we're there for a fight. #LUFC #lufcawaydays
— Colly LUFC (@NeilCollufc) April 9, 2016
Meanwhile, this follower of the Whites cant help but help feel the pain of a broken bromance.
https://twitter.com/TikiTakaDee/status/718753555998449664
Summing up what most Leeds fans are thinking, this fan states that maybe the tablets will take the edge off a little.
Hospital are giving my stronger painkillers, just in time to watch Leeds #lufc
— amie (@davies_x) April 9, 2016
For some fans though, like this one, things are not just about the pitch but als othe commentary.
https://twitter.com/markfla82/status/718752049408667648
Not all fans feel the doom and gloom sold by the bucketload, this Leeds fan is actually quite hopeful, kind of.
Seasons over, owners a twat, clubs a complete shambles but all that said come on Leeds, let's do this!! #mot #lufc
— Joel Anderson (@joel_anderson_1) April 9, 2016
It might be infectious, this optimism.
Come on leeds!!! A win would be a great start to the weekend #LUFC
— Tom Birtwhistle (@Birtylad) April 9, 2016
Actually, I dougby it’s infectious enough to catch on fully.
Drop Bellusci against a team we're almost certainly going to lose to. I see what you did there, Steve. #lufc
— 𝕋𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕪 (@tommy_lufc) April 9, 2016
