Sky Sports pundit David Prutton is expecting a close game when Leeds United face Burnley at Elland Road.
After what has felt like a long two weeks, Leeds return to Championship action after the international break against their fellow promotion favourites.
Leeds go into the game unbeaten across their four league matches so far, picking up back-to-back victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, and so confidence should be high.
After a chaotic August both on and off the pitch, Leeds will – for the first time – feel like they have a properly settled squad. All four of Leeds’ late window signings are available and likely to be in the squad.
Burnley, meanwhile, started the season like a house on fire with consecutive 4-1 and 5-0 wins, but have stuttered in their last two following such a tough end to the window.
Prutton predicts Leeds vs Burnley score
On paper, this is certainly Leeds’ most difficult fixture of the season so far and a win would send out a real statement of intent to the rest of the division.
But like Leeds, Burnley will also be glad to see the back of the window and two weeks on the training pitch should’ve helped several of their new signings settled in.
Former Leeds loanees Jaidon Anthony and Connor Roberts will also be keen to get one over on their old side, and speaking on the latest episode of Sky Sports’ EFL Predictions Podcast, Prutton has shared what he thinks the score-line will be.
He said: “As we chatted earlier on this week, they’re in a better position points-wise than they were this time last year, which ended up with them being on 90 points and just missing out on automatics.
“So early work looks promising, obviously making up for star players that moved on, that was their next challenge.
“You can say something similar with Burnley. I was impressed with the opening portion of their game against Blackburn, I was more impressed with Blackburn’s resilience when they went down to 10 men and managed the second half in that particular East Lancashire derby.
“So questions for them to answer, and a really, really cracking game so early in the season, because all the eyes are on these two, they’re expected to be at least in the top six if not the top two, and Saturday will see where they’re at with these works in progress. Close game, 2-1 Leeds.”
Sam Parkin delivers Leeds vs Burnley prediction
Prutton has not been the only pundit to give his prediction for the weekend’s stand-out fixture in the Championship, but Sam Parkin too.
Football League legend Parkin thinks Leeds are slight favourites to win the game on Saturday due to home advantage and the fact Burnley have flattered to deceive.
“They are creating a lot in comparison to Burnley. Burnley’s return of ten goals flatters them greatly. All of a sudden, after the debacle of the opening two games where they conceded six, Leeds have looked solid.
“I make Leeds the favourites. Just with the continuity that they have with Daniel Farke and less carnage, I’d fancy them to win this one narrowly.”
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