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Who will be relegated from the Premier League - Leeds United or Burnley?

The Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will be relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season - Burnley or Leeds United?

While much of the neutral attention may be at the top of the Premier League table on the final day, matters at the bottom are set to be decided by even finer margins.

Only goal difference separates Burnley and Leeds United either side of the dotted line with just one game remaining, and one of those clubs will be forced to play Championship football next season.

Burnley go into the final day in the stronger position courtesy of their vastly superior goal difference, meaning that victory will keep them up and even dropped points will be enough so long as they match or better Leeds' result.

The Clarets take on Newcastle United at Turf Moor on Sunday, while Leeds visit Brentford at the same time knowing that they have to better Burnley's score to stay up.

Here, the Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will join Watford and Norwich City in the Championship next season.


Burnley's Ashley Barnes celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 19, 2022© Reuters

Barney Corkhill, Editor

VERDICT: Leeds

While the title race and top-four battle both have firm favourites going into the final day, this relegation scrap does not, which makes it even more intriguing.

It would take a fairly major shock for the title not to go to the Etihad and Spurs not to qualify for the Champions League, but any set of results is realistic in this showdown.

It is entirely possible that Leeds could beat Brentford and give their hopes a major boost, yet it is also perfectly realistic that Leeds could shoot themselves in the foot again and lose that match.

Personally, I am expecting matters in West London to be made redundant by Burnley beating Newcastle anyway - the Clarets are in far greater need of the result than their opponents, while their home form has been very good of late and Newcastle's away form has been anything but.

In truth, it would not be a surprise to see either of these two teams go down, but Burnley are the ones with matters in their own hands and I expect them to keep it that way.


Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch celebrates after the match on April 9, 2022© Reuters

Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

VERDICT: Burnley

Having earned a respectable point at Aston Villa on Thursday evening, Burnley have every reason to feel optimistic about their survival bid ending in success.

Facing a Newcastle United side who have only won four of their 18 away fixtures also theoretically plays into their favour, but the Clarets backline will be facing a player in Callum Wilson who is desperate to prove his worth ahead of Newcastle entering the transfer market.

With that in mind, I think Newcastle will get at least a point at Turf Moor, and encouragement from that game could spur on Leeds United at Brentford. On the back of four wins from six matches, Brentford are the clear favourites, but the Bees are playing with their own pressure of earning a top-10 finish in the Premier League, something deemed unthinkable back in August.

Brentford need all three points for that to occur and that could potentially play into Leeds' hands, leading me to predict an away win and Jesse Marsch's side remaining in the top flight.


Burnley's Maxwel Cornet celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on April 6, 2022© Reuters

Oliver Thomas, Reporter

VERDICT: Leeds

Both Burnley and Leeds United have favourable fixtures – not facing one of the so-called top six or a side battling for Europe – but games against Newcastle United and Brentford respectively could still prove challenging for both sides.

The Magpies and the Bees could finish in the top 10 with a victory this weekend, so that will be their motivation to secure maximum points.

Burnley were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle back in December when the latter were at their lowest ebb. Since then, Eddie Howe's men have come on leaps and bounds in 2022 and I can see them securing at least a point at Turf Moor.

As for Leeds, they need to better Burnley's result to avoid the drop due to their significantly poorer goal difference, and while the Whites are capable of beating Brentford, I feel that the Bees will claim at least a point which will ultimately condemn Jesse Marsch's men to relegation.


Burnley caretaker manager Mike Jackson and academy director Paul Jenkins pictured on April 17, 2022© Reuters

Joel Lefevre, Reporter

VERDICT: Leeds

Burnley may have the tougher match, taking on one of the most improved Premier League sides in Newcastle United, however I believe Jesse Marsch and Leeds will be going down to the Championship once again.

Injuries and a lack of consistency have taken their toll on the Whites, and I just see Burnley looking a lot more structured and balanced in all facets when compared to Leeds.

It looks as though Leeds could be building to something in the future, I just believe they will have a tough time defeating Brentford, who have adapted quickly to the top flight.

Leeds also have had some memorable finishes, but they have still been susceptible to the counter and going through the emotional victories in the fashion in which they have done can be difficult to sustain. Those kinds of last-gasp wins or draws can lead to a let-down in their next game, which I believe will happen to them this weekend.


SPORTS MOLE VERDICT: LEEDS TO BE RELEGATED

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch looks dejected on March 10, 2022© Reuters


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Burnley's Ashley Barnes celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 19, 2022
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


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