The final two Premier League game are upon us and for the Whites or Clarets relegation will be crushingly sealed
Leeds and Burnley are currently tied on 35 points with Burnley having the advantage on goal difference, something Leeds can’t catch up on. The big early season defeats to the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United are really biting them back at this crucial point.
Burnley face a tough trip to Villa Park on the weekend where Steven Gerrard’s men are picking up some solid end of season form after going on a horrid four game losing streak, only scoring two goals in the process. However, seven points from the last twelve available has gave the Villains hope of a top half finish. This included a valiant effort against title challenging Liverpool where on another day they earn a positive result.
Villa’s last win was in fact on the road at Burnley only a few days ago in what turned out to be a convincing 3-1 victory. Chris Jackson’s men have the third worst away record in the league so that issue needs rectifying immediately if they are to gain anything at in-form Aston Villa.
This fixture is followed up by a visit from Newcastle United at Turf Moor on the last game of the season. In 2022 only Manchester City and Liverpool have picked up more points than the Magpies. It was heavily predicted that this fixture would send one of the two sides down which shows what an excellent job Eddie Howe has done.
Newcastle won the reverse fixture 1-0 and will be hungry to complete consecutive doubles over the Lancashire side for the first time since 1955. Burnley will really need striker Wout Weghorst to score his first goal at Turf moor to stand a chance of survival. Newcastle have conceded six goals in the last two games so he may fancy his chances.
Fellow strugglers Leeds United face an equally set of tricky fixtures. Firstly, the last home game of the season at Elland Road on Sunday welcomes the visit of Brighton. Graham Potter has inspired the Seagulls to their highest ever Premier League points tally and will want to further increase that amount. Brighton have recently took nine points from Arsenal, Spurs and Wolves away from home so it doesn’t get much more brutal. Leeds United have never beaten Brighton in the Premier League and that statistic must change unless Leeds pick up a point and Burnley lose all remaining games.
Finally, Leeds take on Brentford away from home who have done remarkably well since being newly promoted. The Bees have not been beaten at home since late February and will want to end the campaign strongly. Leeds must be wary of Christian Eriksen who has been a revelation since joining the club in January, lifting the side out of danger. Brentford don’t have too much to play for so Leeds could see it as a real opportunity to take all three points.