There will be just pride at stake as Burnley face Leeds in an end of season clash at Turf Moor

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Burnley secured their status in the top flight with victory over Fulham and will have a chance to build for next season against Leeds.

Sean Dyche’s side were outclassed by West Ham last time out at Turf Moor, however they secured a professional 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage which cemented their place in the Premier League once more, relegating Fulham as a result.

Their Saturday lunchtime opponents Leeds put in an impressive showing against European football-chasers Tottenham at Elland Road to quickly rectify their passive 2-0 defeat to Brighton the game prior.

Marcelo Bielsa’s team sit 10th in the Premier League table and will want to finish their first top flight campaign since 2003/04 strongly.

For the hosts, Phil Bardsley will miss the rest of the campaign having opted for surgery to aid a hernia injury now that their status has been secured.

He will join Robbie Brady and Kevin Long in the stands as they both recover from season-ending injuries and as a result will miss the club’s final fixtures against Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield United.

Dale Stephens has been struggling with an ankle knock over recent weeks and it is expected that he may also see his season come to an end as risk-taking is no longer a priority given the team no longer have something to play for.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope, who will want to ensure he is fit for a potential place in England’s Euro 2020 squad, is a concern as the club’s medical staff have continued to monitor the stopper following a recent shoulder injury.

As for the visitors to Turf Moor, centre half Liam Cooper has recovered from injury and is expected to take part in the weekend clash.

Further up the field the news continues to be positive as Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo and Raphinha are all available for selection with options aplenty for Bielsa heading into this one.

Bielsa was very complimentary of Sean Dyche’s side ahead of the fixture and it pays fruits to the importance Bielsa holds in terms of remaining loyal to his tactical identity.

Dyche has done similar, and although they both have quite drastically altered views of what makes a football team successful, they have strong identities that shape each and every action on the football pitch.

Having said that, Burnley have looked to play with a higher intensity in terms of vital pressing phases, particularly since the turn of the year and Dyche has been willing to adapt when required.

Ultimately, when the club were going through a passive phase in terms of performance and results, that ability to identify where to adapt, whether that be through a higher tempo in build-up play or pressing with intent, is what kept them in the division.

Dyche and his side will know that Leeds pose a similar threat to West Ham when it comes to the energy required to match their play and fluidity, but staying in the game until the latter stages always brings the possibility of a threat from the Clarets.

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