The 2025/26 Premier League season will resume on Friday with Gameweek 35, as we get closer to the curtain call. The latest round of fixtures starts with Leeds United vs Burnley at Elland Road, with the home side striving to avoid joining Scott Parker’s men on the way back to the EFL Championship.
Daniel Farke has finally found the solution of remaining in the Premier League after previously unsuccessful attempts during his stint with Norwich City. While Leeds United have been in the relegation dogfight throughout the 2025/26 season, they have been outside the drop zone since December, having rarely lost a game during this stretch.
The Whites have lost only four of their last 21 Premier League games, and they are on a five-match unbeaten run in the top flight ahead of Gameweek 35. The switch to a back three has worked wonders, turning the West Yorkshire outfit into a resilient team that cannot be easily broken down. However, Leeds United bowed out of the FA Cup last weekend, narrowly losing to Chelsea in the semi-final.
On the other hand, Burnley will not participate in the Premier League next season, with Scott Park failing to galvanise his squad enough to ensure safety. While the Clarets have frustrated many opponents, they have managed only 20 points in 34 outings, 16 behind 17th-placed West Ham United. However, the Lancashire-based club can play spoilsport for other relegation contenders.
The reverse fixture ended in a 2-0 win for Burnley, with Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchouana finding the back of the next. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Dubravka; Walker, Ekdal, Humphreys, Esteve, Hartman; Tchaouna, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Anthony; Flemming
While Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Jaidon Anthony were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Zian Flemming as the Player to Watch in Friday’s Premier League clash between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road.
The 27-year-old has scored nine Premier League goals this season. The last Burnley player to reach double figures was Chris Wood (12 in 2020/21), while the only player to do so in a season the Clarets were relegated was Danny Ings (11 in 2014/15). For the visitors to have any hope in this match, Flemming will hold the key in the final third.
Burnley will take heart from the performance in the reverse fixture and the team’s displays against fellow promoted clubs this season, hoping to spring a surprise and return to winning ways. However, the Clarets have been dreadful in the final third in recent weeks, with the shot-shy nature hurting them dearly.
Additionally, the hosts have found a way to become a team that does not lose due to the low volume of “big chances” they concede. So, while the away side will not go down without a fight, they will not have enough quality to take anything from the game. Meanwhile, Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson will rise to the occasion for Leeds. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Daniel Farke and his charges.
