Leeds United welcome Burnley to Elland Road on Friday, 1 May 2026, for a Premier League Matchweek 35 fixture that could take Daniel Farke's side to the brink of confirming their top-flight survival.
Leeds enter the game 15th in the Premier League with 40 points from 34 matches, six points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur with four fixtures remaining. Although their survival is not yet mathematically guaranteed, their recent improvement has placed them in a strong position to remain in the Premier League for another season.
Burnley's situation is already settled. The Clarets are 19th with only 20 points from 34 matches and had their relegation to the Championship confirmed following a 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City on 22 April. Their difficult return to the Premier League has produced only four victories and 22 defeats, with a league-high 68 goals conceded before the trip to Elland Road.
There has also been a significant change in the Burnley dugout. Scott Parker left the club by mutual consent on 30 April, just one day before this fixture, and assistant coach Mike Jackson will take charge of the team for the remaining four matches of the campaign.
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Leeds United vs Burnley Head-to-Head Summary
The recent history between Leeds and Burnley has been considerably more balanced than the original statistics suggested. Across the last 10 competitive meetings before Friday's game, the standard head-to-head record is:
Leeds United wins: 3
Burnley wins: 3
Draws: 4
Leeds United goals: 12
Burnley goals: 9
Total goals: 21
Average goals per match: 2.1
One important detail explains why some databases may show Leeds with four victories rather than three. The clubs met in the League Cup in September 2017 and drew 2-2 before Leeds won the resulting penalty shootout 5-3. For normal head-to-head statistics, the game itself is recorded as a draw, with the shootout determining which team progressed.
Burnley nevertheless have an opportunity to complete a league double over Leeds this season. According to pre-match analysis, it would be only the third time in their history that the Clarets had achieved that feat after previously doing so in 1925/26 and 2013/14.
Leeds United vs Burnley Last 10 Matches
The previous 10 competitive meetings before the 1 May fixture are:
18 October 2025: Burnley 2-0 Leeds United – Premier League
27 January 2025: Burnley 0-0 Leeds United – Championship
14 September 2024: Leeds United 0-1 Burnley – Championship
2 January 2022: Leeds United 3-1 Burnley – Premier League
29 August 2021: Burnley 1-1 Leeds United – Premier League
15 May 2021: Burnley 0-4 Leeds United – Premier League
27 December 2020: Leeds United 1-0 Burnley – Premier League
19 September 2017: Burnley 2-2 Leeds United – League Cup, Leeds won 5-3 on penalties
9 April 2016: Burnley 1-0 Leeds United – Championship
8 August 2015: Leeds United 1-1 Burnley – Championship
That sequence demonstrates how little has separated the clubs over an extended period. Leeds enjoyed the stronger run during their previous Premier League spell, including a convincing 4-0 victory at Turf Moor in May 2021, but Burnley have gone unbeaten in the three meetings since Leeds' 3-1 home win in January 2022.
Most Recent Meeting: Burnley 2-0 Leeds United
Burnley produced one of their better performances of the season when these clubs met at Turf Moor on 18 October 2025. Lesley Ugochukwu opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Loum Tchaouna doubled Burnley's advantage with a long-range strike in the 68th minute. Leeds controlled a much larger share of possession but could not turn that dominance into goals, allowing Parker's side to secure a valuable 2-0 victory.
The result gives Burnley something positive to take into Friday's return fixture. However, the circumstances surrounding the clubs have changed dramatically since October. Burnley were still fighting to establish themselves in the Premier League at that stage. By the end of April, they had been relegated, and Parker had left the club, while Leeds had found the consistency required to move significantly closer to survival.
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Leeds United Current Form
Leeds enter the Burnley fixture as one of the Premier League's better-performing teams over the last few weeks. Farke's side are unbeaten in their previous five league matches, collecting nine points during that sequence. Their last six Premier League results read L-D-D-W-W-D, showing how difficult they have become to beat during the decisive part of the survival battle.
Their most recent league appearance ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Bournemouth. Leeds twice fell behind but responded on both occasions, with Sean Longstaff scoring a late volley to rescue a point and extend the unbeaten run.
Before that, Leeds produced one of their strongest home performances of the campaign by defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Elland Road. James Justin, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the goalscorers as Farke's team took another significant step towards safety.
Their momentum was interrupted in the FA Cup on 26 April when Chelsea defeated Leeds 1-0 in the semi-final at Wembley. Enzo Fernández's first-half header proved decisive, ending Leeds' hopes of reaching their first FA Cup final since 1973.
Despite that disappointment, their league position remains encouraging. Leeds have 40 points from 34 matches, with nine victories, 13 draws and 12 defeats. They have scored 44 Premier League goals and conceded 51. A victory against Burnley would move them to 43 points and make relegation extremely unlikely heading into their final three fixtures.
Burnley Current Form
Burnley's form tells a very different story. The Clarets arrive at Elland Road without a victory in their previous nine matches in all competitions and with only one Premier League win in their last 25 fixtures. Their recent six-game league sequence reads L-D-L-L-L-L.
That sole victory during the longer 25-match sequence was a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Crystal Palace. Since then, Burnley's results have again deteriorated. Their most recent fixture ended in a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City at Turf Moor, the result that mathematically confirmed their relegation. They had previously suffered a heavy 4-1 loss away to Nottingham Forest.
Away from home, Burnley have lost three consecutive league matches against Everton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest. Those defeats came by an aggregate score of 9-2, underlining the defensive problems that have followed them throughout the campaign. Their relegation represents a remarkable contrast with last season.
Leeds and Burnley both accumulated 100 points in the 2024/25 Championship, with Leeds winning the title on goal difference and both clubs earning automatic promotion. Burnley lost just twice and conceded only 16 league goals during that promotion campaign, but their defensive record has deteriorated dramatically in the Premier League.
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Home and Away Analysis
Elland Road should provide Leeds with another significant advantage. Their most recent home league fixture ended in a 3-0 victory over Wolves, and Farke's side have increasingly found ways to combine the intensity expected at Elland Road with greater defensive control.
Historically, Leeds also have a favourable home record against Burnley, although it is not quite as dominant as the original article suggested. Across Burnley's previous 10 competitive visits to Elland Road before Friday, Leeds recorded six victories, one draw and three defeats. Burnley did win their most recent visit 1-0 in September 2024, with that result representing Leeds' only home defeat during their entire 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Burnley's current away form is much more concerning. Three consecutive away losses, nine goals conceded and only two scored provide clear evidence of the problems Mike Jackson inherits for his first game back in interim charge.
Tactical Matchup and Style of Play
1. Leeds United
Farke has shown greater tactical flexibility during Leeds' first season back in the Premier League. Rather than relying exclusively on the 4-2-3-1 shape associated with much of his Championship success, Leeds have also used a 3-4-2-1, giving the team additional defensive protection while allowing their wing-backs to advance when possession is secured. A three-man defensive setup was among the expected options against Burnley.
Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka provide control and defensive discipline through midfield, while Jayden Bogle can offer attacking width from the right. Further forward, Noah Okafor has become one of Leeds' most dangerous players during the second half of the campaign. The Swiss international has scored five of his seven Leeds goals since the beginning of February, making him the club's most in-form attacker heading into the final month.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains the central focal point. He enters the fixture as Leeds' leading league scorer, although his recent return has slowed compared with his earlier form. His aerial strength and ability to occupy centre-backs should be particularly useful against a Burnley defence that has conceded 68 Premier League goals.
Leeds should expect to have more of the ball, but the reverse fixture offers a warning. They dominated possession at Turf Moor and still lost 2-0, so converting territorial control into clear chances will be important.
2. Burnley
Burnley's tactical picture is less certain following Parker's departure. Mike Jackson has only just taken interim control, meaning major structural changes are unlikely with less than 48 hours to prepare for the match. Burnley could therefore retain the compact shape used during much of the season, with a back three or back five and Tchaouna and Jaidon Anthony looking to support Zian Flemming on transitions.
Flemming is one of the main players Leeds need to monitor. He has scored nine Premier League goals this season, with eight of those nine coming away from home. He had also scored in three consecutive away games against Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Chelsea before the Elland Road trip. Burnley's best chance may therefore come from remaining compact and forcing Leeds to take risks before attacking the space behind Farke's wing-backs.
Leeds United Team Injuries and News
Leeds have a relatively healthy squad, but they do have several concerns ahead of Friday. Ilia Gruev is expected to miss the remainder of the season because of a knee injury. There was also disappointing news concerning Gabriel Gudmundsson. The left-back suffered a hamstring injury around the FA Cup semi-final, and Farke confirmed that he faces a spell on the sidelines rather than simply being a late fitness decision for the Burnley match.
Noah Okafor and Jaka Bijol are also carrying fitness concerns. Farke remained hopeful that both would be available, making their condition worth monitoring before the teams are announced. The possible availability of Okafor is particularly important given his recent attacking form.
Burnley Team Injuries and News
Burnley also travel with several confirmed absences. Josh Cullen is unavailable because of a knee injury, while Connor Roberts is sidelined with a calf problem and Jordan Beyer remains out with a thigh injury.
There is more encouraging news surrounding Hannibal Mejbri, Axel Tuanzebe and Zeki Amdouni, who were all approaching returns from their respective injury problems ahead of the trip to Yorkshire.
The biggest change, however, is on the touchline. Parker's departure means Jackson must prepare a relegated squad for the final four matches while Burnley begin searching for a permanent head coach.
Players to Watch
For Leeds, Noah Okafor should be one of the main attacking players to watch if he passes his fitness check. His form since February has given Farke another reliable source of goals alongside Calvert-Lewin. Ethan Ampadu will also have an important role. The Leeds captain highlighted the importance of the Elland Road atmosphere before the game and will be expected to provide leadership through the middle following the disappointment of the FA Cup semi-final defeat.
For Burnley, Zian Flemming poses the clearest scoring threat. Eight of his nine league goals have come away from Turf Moor, making his record particularly relevant for Friday night's match. Loum Tchaouna is another player Leeds cannot ignore. His excellent long-range goal helped Burnley win the reverse fixture 2-0, and his pace can threaten Leeds when the hosts commit numbers forward.
Leeds United vs Burnley: Who is the Favourite to Win?
Leeds United deserve to enter Friday's game as clear favourites. Farke's side are unbeaten in five Premier League matches, have collected nine points during that run and recently defeated Wolves 3-0 at Elland Road. Burnley, by contrast, have already been relegated, have won just once in their previous 25 league games and have lost their last three away matches by an aggregate score of 9-2.
The managerial situation adds another layer of uncertainty for the visitors. Jackson takes charge only a day after Parker's departure, leaving little time to implement significant changes before facing a Leeds team with a clear objective.
Burnley's 2-0 victory in October means Leeds cannot afford complacency. The Clarets have already shown that they can punish Farke's side if given opportunities to counter, while Flemming's away scoring record provides another reason for caution.
Even so, the difference in momentum is considerable. Leeds have both home advantage and far greater motivation, with victory potentially moving them to 43 points and putting Premier League survival firmly within reach. Burnley are now playing primarily for pride and places in the team during a period of managerial transition.
The visitors may still create chances, particularly on the counterattack, but Leeds should have enough quality and confidence to avenge the reverse-fixture defeat and take another major step towards securing their Premier League status.