Leeds face Burnley with survival still not assured despite five-match unbeaten run

Key facts

• Leeds United are unbeaten in five Premier League matches.
• Leeds are six points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham with four games remaining.
• Burnley have won only once in their last 25 league fixtures.
• Burnley's sole win in that run was a 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace.
• Leeds have won their last five matches against relegated teams by an aggregate score of 18-3.
• Gabriel Gudmundsson will miss the match and likely the Tottenham game with a hamstring injury.
• Noah Okafor and Jaka Bijol are doubtful due to calf and hip flexor issues respectively.
• Burnley have earned nine of their last 13 Premier League points away from home.

Leeds still not safe despite form surge

Leeds United welcome already-relegated Burnley to Elland Road on Friday evening knowing that their Premier League status is not yet secured, despite a five-match unbeaten run that has lifted them six points clear of the relegation zone. With four games left to play, Daniel Farke's side have reached the 40-point mark often considered the threshold for safety, but the 2025-26 season has seen four teams clustered around that total, meaning the Whites could still be dragged back into the bottom three if their form falters and results elsewhere go against them. Leeds are sixth in the form table over the past five matches, having collected nine points, two fewer than in-form Nottingham Forest. The teams battling to avoid the final relegation place — Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Tottenham — all except Spurs find themselves in the top half when considering results from the last five games.

Burnley arrive after relegation and managerial change

Burnley's relegation was confirmed by a 1-0 loss to title-chasing Manchester City last week, a defeat that ended their brief return to the top flight. The club subsequently announced the departure of manager Scott Parker by mutual consent, with Mike Jackson taking charge for the remainder of the season. The Clarets have won just once in their last 25 league fixtures, a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace after trailing 2-0, but that result came when survival was still a possibility. Now, with nothing to play for, their motivation will be under scrutiny as they travel to Elland Road, though they have the chance to complete a league double over Leeds for only the third time in the club's history, after 1925-26 and 2013-14.

Farke confirms injuries to key players

Leeds manager Daniel Farke provided an update on his squad ahead of the Burnley match, revealing that left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson has suffered a hamstring injury that will rule him out of Friday's game and likely the following fixture against Tottenham. "It's also a bit of a serious injury," Farke said. "Of course we try to bring him back as quick as possible, especially at this stage of the season, and I hope he can feature then in one of the last two games." Farke also flagged doubts over Noah Okafor, who took a knock to his calf, and Jaka Bijol, who has been dealing with hip flexor problems. "I hope to have them both available but I can't tell you now if it's possible," the manager added. Aside from those concerns, Farke confirmed that the rest of the squad is fit and available.

Leeds have historical edge against relegated sides

Historical precedent offers Leeds further reason for optimism: the Whites enter the weekend on a five-match winning streak against teams that have already been relegated, with an aggregate score of 18-3. That record underscores their ability to dispatch demoralised opponents, though Burnley's recent away form suggests they may not be pushovers. The Clarets have earned nine of their last 13 Premier League points on the road, a statistic that indicates they have been more competitive away from home. With the pressure of the survival fight lifted, they may feel freer to express themselves, potentially making them a more dangerous opponent than their league position suggests.

What the match means for the relegation battle

A victory for Leeds would move them another step closer to safety, potentially opening a nine-point gap over 18th-placed Tottenham if results elsewhere hold. However, a defeat or draw would keep the door open for the teams below, with Nottingham Forest and West Ham both still in contention. The final relegation place is likely to be decided among Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham, with all but Spurs showing strong recent form. Leeds' ability to maintain their unbeaten run against a Burnley side that has little to lose will be a key test of their resilience as the season enters its decisive phase.

The bottom line

• Leeds are six points clear of the relegation zone with four games left but could still be caught if their form dips.
• Burnley have won just once in 25 league matches and are without a permanent manager after Scott Parker's departure.
• Leeds have won their last five matches against relegated teams by an aggregate score of 18-3.
• Gabriel Gudmundsson is out with a hamstring injury; Noah Okafor and Jaka Bijol are doubtful.
• Burnley have earned nine of their last 13 Premier League points away from home, suggesting they are more competitive on the road.
• The match offers Leeds a chance to all but secure survival, while Burnley can complete a rare league double over the Whites.