Leeds United’s record against Championship top six could give fans hope ahead of Burnley clash

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Supporters of Leeds United can take comfort in the club’s solid record against the Championship top six so far this season, ahead of their gargantuan clash with Burnley on Monday night.

It was a brilliant weekend for Leeds without them even kicking a ball, as two promotion rivals slipped up.

Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland dropped two points at home against Plymouth Argyle, despite their torrid away record and season as a whole. Sheffield United, meanwhile, were shocked by Hull City who, despite also battling against the threat of relegation, put three past the Blades at Bramall Lane.

The results mean that Leeds could potentially create a gap between themselves and the top three. A victory at Turf Moor would see the Whites six points ahead of Scott Parker’s side and four points in front of the Blades.

With Monday’s match being the first time Leeds have faced one of the division’s top six for a second time, fans can take comfort in United’s record against sides battling for promotion this season.

Leeds have shown strong form against top six sides

Of the five other sides that currently occupy a place in the Championship’s top six, Leeds have beaten two.

Back in October, the Whites put in a magnificent display to overcome Sheffield United, beating them 2-0 at home. Elland Road was also the stage on which, two months later, Daniel Farke’s side beat Middlesbrough 3-1.

West Bromwich Albion were the first top six side that Leeds faced this season, travelling to the Midlands for their second match of the campaign. The Baggies, then managed by ex-Whites assistant Carlos Corberan, held United to a 0-0 draw in a cagey affair.

At the Stadium of Light, Leeds looked set to see out a great victory against Sunderland until an Illan Meslier blunder in the game’s dying embers saw the Whites drop two points. On paper, however, a point away at the Black Cats, given their home form, is a solid return.

Eight points from 12 in those fixtures is nothing to be sniffed at. Despite Leeds’ general form against their fellow promotion candidates, though, there is still a sense of worry surrounding their impending clash with the Clarets.

Burnley are the only top six side to beat Leeds this season

Generally, Elland Road has been a fortress for Leeds under Farke’s management. In the fifth game of the current season, when Leeds played host to Burnley, fans expected a win due to their overall home form though were more than conscious of how good Burnley were as a side.

In the match, a slip from on-loan winger Manor Solomon proved costly. Luca Koleosho nicked the ball away from the wide man, charging forward and slotting the ball beyond Meslier, a goal that secured the win for Burnley. As such, the Clarets remain the only side in the top six that United are yet to overcome in this campaign.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	28	17	8	3	53	19	34	59
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	29	18	6	5	40	21	19	58
3	BurnleyBurnley	28	15	11	2	36	9	27	56
4	SunderlandSunderland	29	15	10	4	42	24	18	55
5	West BromWest Brom	29	10	14	5	38	25	13	44
6	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	29	12	8	9	47	36	11	44

Parker’s side have an immense defensive record, with James Trafford having conceded just nine times in 28 matches. A staggering number, Leeds will surely anticipate a cagey affair on Monday night in facing a defence that, evidently, is so tough to break down.

While a point would, most likely, be accepted as a result, there is no telling what a win at Turf Moor could do for Leeds’ morale and momentum going forward. Victory would also alleviate Farke of an unfortunate record he possesses against Burnley, something he will surely be conscious of.