Leeds United and Daniel Farke travel across the Pennines to face Burnley this weekend, but changes could be in the offing for the German.
Leeds United have fielded the same XI for four games in a row now in the Premier League, but the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Ao Tanaka have travelled far and wide this international break.
That raises question marks over whether he can afford to go without rotating for another game. On top of that, Farke is looking to end his poor managerial record against Burnley, having never scored a league goal against the Clarets for teams he has managed.
The referee for Leeds’ trip to Burnley has also been selected, and the omens are much kinder to Burnley on that front as well. It means things are stacking up against the Whites and Farke ahead of the game.
Leeds United fans want Ao Tanaka to start against Burnley
It’s certainly a game which is tough to call on paper, although Opta’s supercomputer places Burnley as favourites against Leeds for Saturday’s fixture at Turf Moor.
There won’t be any sense of kinship this weekend, despite the fact the duo came up together on 100 points from the Championship. In fact, Leeds had a statistically better season than Burnley last time out.
They were rightly handed the title in that sense, and you now see numerous Leeds fans thinking Burnley will be relegated immediately under Scott Parker.
Parker drew 0-0 against Leeds in this fixture last time, having defeated Leeds 1-0 at Elland Road in the reverse fixture in September 2024. Farke will be desperate to get a Premier League win under his belt against Parker.
Could that mean a change? Leeds fans are keen for one player to return to the XI soon, despite the strength of Leeds’ midfield in recent weeks for making games competitive.
We have already had a look at predicting the Leeds XI against Burnley this Saturday. However, 61% of fans want Tanaka to return to the lineup in some capacity this weekend, over keeping things as they are.
Only 2.9% of fans want Tanaka to come in for club captain Ethan Ampadu, with a larger majority preferring the Japanese midfielder to be reinstated over Anton Stach (16.2%) and Sean Longstaff (41.9%).
At face value, it may seem harsh on Longstaff. But Tanaka is a more penetrative passer and someone with a touch more guile than the other players. It is perhaps not a game which suits Longstaff’s strengths in duels as much.
Against clubs in the top half, the more workmanlike midfield makes sense, but Tanaka could be the sensible choice against Burnley. The problem is Tanaka’s travel situation and recent schedule. Can he start at Turf Moor?
Ao Tanaka is desperate to start games again for Leeds United
Tanaka only played 15 minutes for Japan against Brazil. It’s been somewhat of a slow start for the 27-year-old so far this season.
Prior to his return this week, Tanaka has admitted his Leeds frustration over being benched by Farke when speaking to Japanese media.
“Of course, the most important thing is that I’m disappointed that I’m not playing in the games,” but he also revealed that he has not lost confidence, saying, “But that’s the way the Premier League is.
“Any team I look at, I feel that even players on the bench or not playing have overwhelming quality. Only seven games gone, I still have a lot of issues to work on, but I also have the feeling that I can do it.”
Not only was he a mainstay and key cog in the 2024/25 Championship season for Leeds, Tanaka was the whole engine of the Leeds team at times. He could be their heartbeat once again against Burnley.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
