Pick of the stats: Leeds v Cardiffpublished at 16:54 GMT 30 January
16:54 GMT 30 January
Leeds will seek to get back to winning ways after the stalemate at Burnley as they welcome Cardiff to Elland Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
The Bluebirds are 18th, four points ahead of the drop-zone, while Whites have a two-point cushion over second-placed Sheffield United.
Leeds United have won each of their past two league games against Cardiff City and will be looking to win three in succession against the Welsh side for the first time since September 2016.
Cardiff City have lost just one of their past 13 away league games against Leeds United (W7 D5), a 1-0 loss at Elland Road in November 2015.
Leeds are unbeaten in their past 11 Championship matches (W7 D4), and have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three – they last managed four consecutive shutouts in the competition in January/February 2024 (a run of five).
Cardiff have won just one of their past 16 away league games (D8 L7), though the Bluebirds have scored exactly two goals in five of their last six outings on the road.
Since the start of last season, Dan James has been directly involved in 23 goals in 33 league appearances at Elland Road (16 goals, seven assists); the most of any Leeds player in this period.
Farke on possible incomings and Struijk's returnpublished at 15:17 GMT 30 January
15:17 GMT 30 January
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Pascal Struijk has missed Leeds' last three Championship fixtures
As Leeds United prepare to welcome Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 GMT), Daniel Farke held his pre-match press conference. Here are the highlights:
Defender Pascal Struijk (hamstring) is in contention to return. Striker Patrick Bamford (hamstring) remains out and defender Max Wober (knee) is a doubt.
Farke would not be drawn on links to Southampton forward Cameron Archer but reiterated "we stay awake in the striker position" as well as for a number 10 and a centre-back. However, it seems clear having a near-fully fit squad is a bonus at this stage and means there is no need to panic in the window.
Farke added: "Checked my phone, but in six hours, nothing happened. Jokes aside, I am honest. I am not a big friend of this window - options are limited or overpriced. It can be risky to add someone to a team playing this well."
On the process of recruitment, Farke said: "The scouting and recruitment departments bring the available options, then it's up to me to see who fits. If I like his character or his quality, then our key people decide if we can afford them. Everyone chips in with their individual network too."
Farke also says he does not expect any of his squad to leave before the window shuts.
Through It All Together - a play about Bielsapublished at 12:43 GMT 30 January
12:43 GMT 30 January
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
"It's his presence and the way people talk about him. He lives in our imagination as much as he does in reality."
That's how Leeds Playhouse artistic director James Brining eulogises former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa and how the Argentine affected the club and the city.
"He had an aura about him that I do not see in any other football manager. He has a different quality."
Bielsa has been gone from Elland Road for almost three years. His body of work and other-worldly way, you feel, will resonate forever around these parts.
Brining wants to make sure it is remembered and reinvigorated in his new production being premiered in Leeds this June - Through It All Together.
The play, written by Chris O'Connor, is about a fictional couple, Howard and Sue, massive Leeds fans, one of whom is living with dementia.
"I'm trying to reflect the city and how many different aspects of that city went on a journey during Bielsa's era," explains O'Connor, an avid Leeds fan himself.
"I'm always unsure how football translates on stage. It's hard to do well and I've also wanted to write something about dementia. I have a close family member who lives with it."
Image source, Getty Images
For Brining, Bielsa's influence was omnipresent: "What he is and was is something beyond that (football). What he did was about reframing what a club could be in relation to its fans and its city.
"He demonstrated that fairly modest Championship players could play in the Premier League and excel because of belief, teamwork, the values he instilled in them and the culture that he created."
After the premiere in Leeds this summer, ideally after another promotion, the duo have high hopes to see the play go on tour.
"First and foremost you want to write entertaining stories," adds O'Connor. "But I'd like some people to maybe feel differently about dementia. And I'd like people to relive memories we all had when Leeds got promoted."
As for Bielsa himself, Brining says they will reach out and let him know he has inspired the play. Brining missed Bielsa when he visited the Playhouse with his family during his tenure at the club.
Shortly afterwards he wrote to the artistic director to say how much he enjoyed the experience: "The theatre is important for people's souls. I love what you are doing and together we are doing the same sort of thing."
In his own humble way I think he will approve from the wings with a "Very good, Brining!"
Through It All Together runs at the Leeds Playhouse from 23 June to 19 July.
Leeds target Southampton striker Archerpublished at 11:47 GMT 30 January
11:47 GMT 30 January
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds are targeting a move for Southampton striker Cameron Archer with early talks having taken place.
It is unclear whether a deal can be achieved but the 23-year-old is open to a move before deadline day.
Other options are believed to be on the table as Archer seeks a guaranteed starting role after increasingly finding himself on the bench under recently appointed Saints manager Ivan Juric.
Gossip: Whites close on Targettpublished at 10:58 GMT 30 January
10:58 GMT 30 January
Leeds are set to sign Newcastle left-back Matt Targett, with Junior Firpo out of contract at the end of the season. (Northern Echo), external
Whites boss Daniel Farke could get a transfer fund boost by selling Sonny Perkins to Leyton Orient and Rasmus Kristensen to Eintracht Frankfurt. (Leeds Live), external
Middlesbrough's move for former Leeds midfielder Glen Kamara could be off, with the Finland international, who has also been linked with Sunderland and Burnley, now reportedly ready to move to Saudi side Al Shabab. (Northern Echo, external)
Gossip: Leeds eyeing RB Salzburg winger Daghimpublished at 11:42 GMT 29 January
11:42 GMT 29 January
Leeds United are eyeing a late move to sign 19-year-old Red Bull Salzburg winger Adam Daghim in this transfer window but face competition from Leicester and Brentford. (Daily Mail), external
Leyton Orient attacker Sonny Perkins, 20, is set to make his loan move from Leeds permanent before the end of the January transfer window. (LeedsLive), external
Burnley & Leeds produce second lowest xG of seasonpublished at 16:19 GMT 28 January
16:19 GMT 28 January
Image source, Opta
Image caption,
From 12 shots on total between the two sides, Dan James' 89th-minute effort was the only attempt to hit the target
Monday's uneventful goalless draw between Burnley and Leeds produced the second lowest expected goals [xG] of any Championship match so far this season.
According to Opta, Burnley's four attempts in total added up to an xG of 0.18 while Leeds' eight shots equated to 0.35 xG, creating a total match xG of just 0.53 across the 90 minutes at Turf Moor.
Dan James' 89th-minute strike, which had to be tipped over by Burnley's James Trafford, prevented the stalemate from being the first second-tier clash to end without an effort on target this season.
Despite the drab affair, Luton's 0-0 draw with Preston in Matt Bloomfield's first match in charge of the Hatters earlier this month produced an xG even lower than Monday's top-of-the-table clash - just 0.49 from 11 shots in total.
Notably, November's Steel City derby saw Tyrese Campbell score the winner for Sheffield United against bitter rivals Wednesday with the match's only shot on target from a game which produced a comparatively gluttonous 18 attempts in all.
'Leeds will look for exceptional talent in summer'published at 11:27 GMT 28 January
11:27 GMT 28 January
Adonis Storr Fan writer
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, Rex Features
There has been lots of - mostly justified - criticism of the style of football Leeds United have played under Daniel Farke, but after watching Burnley play for a draw from the first minute on Monday night at Turf Moor, Leeds fans can be happy they don't have to watch Scott Parker's side every week.
Burnley have the best defensive record at this stage of a season in the history of professional football in England. It seems to be due to an unwillingness to attack.
It was absolutely vital the Whites didn't lose against their promotion rivals. In a campaign this tight, and with others at the top dropping points over the weekend, the three-point gap to third had to be protected.
But in the Premier League, defending of Burnley's quality will be closer to the rule than a historical exception, and should Leeds get promoted they will need to find an exceptional attacking talisman who can make a moment to win the day in these kinds of attritional battles.
Raphinha and Pablo Hernandez were players built for big games against resolute defences.
Pablo against Swansea, Raphinha against Everton, or against Brentford when he sparked the fightback and ended up in the crowd and walking the length of the pitch on his knees for Leeds United.
There was no-one who threatened that kind of moment on Monday.
Farke and Parker sit second and third for points-per-game accrued in the Championship, and despite United's attacking statistics, Farke is more defensive than the manager who sits top of that list - Marcelo Bielsa.
If you're not going to have an attacking style like Bielsa, then you will need exceptional talent to tip the balance of tight games, and Leeds will be looking for an exceptional talent in the summer.
The Whites are also keen on a surprise move for former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose playing time has been limited at Turkish club Besiktas. (The Sun), external
Struijk close to returning to training - Farkepublished at 09:24 GMT 28 January
09:24 GMT 28 January
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke says central defender Pascal Struijk is close to returning to first-team training after missing the previous four league matches.
The 25-year-old started all but one of Leeds' Championship games this season before sustaining a hamstring injury which had threatened to rule him out for several months.
However, following his side's 0-0 draw at Burnley on Monday, Farke was more upbeat about Struijk's chances of returning to the side in the near future.
"I hope we can involve him at some point during this week in training," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.
"We don't have that much time between the games, before the Cardiff game, but I hope that he will be back in training.
"Then we will see a bit closer to the game at what point he will be available for selection, or at least be able to sit on the bench."
Pick of the stats: Burnley v Leeds Unitedpublished at 16:31 GMT 27 January
16:31 GMT 27 January
Along with Sunderland, Burnley are the only Championship side with an unbeaten home record as they prepare to host table-topping Leeds United (20:00 GMT).
The Clarets also boast the best home defensive record with only four goals conceded in their 13 games at Turf Moor.
The visitors are the top scorers in the Championship with 53 goals from their 28 matches. Daniel Farke's side have only failed to score in four league games this season.
Burnley have won just one of their past five league games against Leeds United (D1 L3), although that sole victory did come during the reverse fixture in September (1-0).
Leeds United are unbeaten across their past two away league games against Burnley (W1 D1), last enjoying a longer undefeated run at Turf Moor between September 1975 and October 2005 (four games).
Burnley are unbeaten across their past 13 home league games (W6 D7), conceding just four goals in total across that time. The Clarets last enjoyed a longer undefeated run at Turf Moor between August 2022 and April 2023 (21 games).
Leeds have lost just two of their past 13 away league games (W5 D6), though have scored just 1.4 goals on average per match during that time.
Leeds' Joel Piroe has been involved in four goals in his past three away league games (three goals, one assist), more than he had in his previous 17 on the road (three goals).
Farke on signing a number 10, injuries and Burnleypublished at 12:52 GMT 24 January
12:52 GMT 24 January
Media caption,
Farke: A new No.10 could be beneficial
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media ahead of their trip to Burnley on Monday night (20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines:
No additional injuries have been picked up from the Norwich game, with the same squad available for the trip to Turf Moor.
Vice captain Pascal Struijk's scan was "very good" and he is expected to be back in team training in a few days
On the quality of the pitch at Elland Road, Farke said: "A good, tidy surface is always beneficial for us because quite often we are dominant, we have many, many passes and have to open deep-sitting opponents. It suits us more when the pitch is really top. We had no chance to have a better surface due to the circumstances but I hope for the next home game, it's already in a better condition."
On Burnley: "This will be a complicated task, one of the toughest tasks that you can face - away game at Turf Moor against an in-form Burnley side. For that, we have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance. But we also know we are in good shape and we will travel in confidence. We all look forward to a good game."
Farke confirms they would be interested in bringing in a number 10 to add to his squad depth but only if they find a player who has the "proper quality", fits with the group and is affordable.
'I think I can get even better' - Solomonpublished at 11:31 GMT 23 January
11:31 GMT 23 January
Image source, Rex Features
There was only 31 seconds on the clock when Manor Solomon converted Dan James's first-time cross to give Leeds United the lead against Norwich City and help push them back to the top of the table.
The Whites went on to win the game 2-0, with James scoring the second goal.
When asked about his stunning opening goal, the former Tottenham Hotspur player gave a lot of credit to the team synergy created on the training ground.
"When DJ [Dan James] plays, I know that I need to be switched on," Solomon told BBC Radio Leeds.
"When the ball is on the other flank, I know that I need to be inside because DJ is really fast.
"It was a great delivery and we opened the game really well."
Solomon was an injury doubt for the match, having picked up a hamstring issue in the win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, but the 25-year-old said he is feeling "confident".
"I'm feeling really good, I'm feeling like I'm back to myself," Solomon added.
"I think I can get even better and I just want to continue like this."
We didn't give an opportunity - Farkepublished at 23:16 GMT 22 January
23:16 GMT 22 January
Media caption,
Farke: 'Not our most shiny performance'
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke spoke BBC Radio Leeds after their 2-0 win over Norwich.
"We were solid and dominant in our defending - we didn't give away an opportunity for the opponent," he said.
"We scored an early goal and sometimes you think 'it's a nice easy evening, once we are in the lead we normally win the game' and then you do, perhaps, one step less, one or two per cent less concentrated, so I don't think we were good in the detail today.
"We were dominant but could have dominated the game much more and could have created much more.
"The pitch was not great today and the last game was just two-and-a-half days ago, so many explanations but I think it was not our best performance.
"But at this time of the season in January after many games, it's how you should win such a game. Pretty mature, pretty good."
Farke 'is absolutely adored by Norwich fans'published at 10:52 GMT 22 January
10:52 GMT 22 January
Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter
Image source, Rex Features
A 12th home league win over Norwich City tonight will send Daniel Farke's side back to the top of the Championship whilst extending the club's unbeaten run to 11 matches.
Yet for some Leeds United supporters, it feels like it will not be enough, or that he will never be enough.
It is difficult to fathom at times how a manager who has engineered a team which has scored 51 goals and has a goal difference (+32) superior by 10 to any of its rivals, is not universally accepted by the fanbase.
It is very much not the case in the eyes of tonight's opponents.
"He's absolutely adored by Norwich fans, even now," Adam Harvey of the PinkUn podcast told BBC Radio Leeds.
"We've had plenty of successful managers, even throughout my lifetime, but none of them are viewed quite the same way as Daniel Farke is.
"The connection, the way with words, I think you saw that when he returned to Carrow Road in October with Leeds.
"The reception showed the fans still love him even to this day. In that sense he's almost like a (Marcelo) Bielsa figure is for Leeds fans in that can't do anything wrong."
Not being Bielsa appears to be the biggest crime any Leeds manager or head coach can commit it seems.
There is no doubt the Argentine performed something of a footballing miracle by coaching players to levels they believed were beyond them.
Even the brilliant Pablo Hernandez said, despite all his years in the game, he learned something new each day.
"Marcelo was the man that changed it all," he said.
"The plan was not clear until he came in, but he arrived and made us all aware again of how we should play football, and to believe we were always better than the opposition."
Nobody can argue that Farke, too, doesn't have a clear plan of how he wants to play.
A precise formula for success it may be, rather than a swashbuckling riot which had fans holding their breath until the death. But context is important.
Farke inherited a club and a squad which had spiralled out of the top flight and losing had become endemic.
He turned it all around and went as close as Bielsa did by making the play-offs in his first year.
This time around he is primed to succeed like he did twice at Norwich.
If he does, the question will be whether he is given a fair crack in the Premier League, unlike his time at Carrow Road.
"He had to part from the football club in difficult circumstances," explains Harvey.
"They were difficult spells in the Premier League when Norwich went up but they never really stood a fighting chance.
"Some of that was down to the financial power available to him. Norwich had very limited funds at that point.
"Now they've had a shift in ownership so maybe the wealth is there a little bit more than was there before. But certainly under Delia (Smith) and Michael's (Wynn-Jones) leadership, it was never really able to push the boat out for individuals.
"As is proven now with the Premier League, the three promoted teams are the three in the relegation zone so it's a really tough place to go and be competitive. With a lack of resources that was always a bit of a challenge with Norwich.
"But I suppose with Leeds, with a little bit more financial backing, I'd be intrigued to see how he gets on.
"He's got all the experience now of the Premier League, he's done it for a couple of seasons. So can he use that to navigate a route to success with Leeds?"
Farke has to gain promotion first of course and whether or not his football is everyone's "tea, coffee and cake", many will say he deserves to have a decent choice from the dessert trolley at football's top table.
To quote Shakespeare's Andrew in Twelfth Night, "I was adored once too".
A 12th home victory for Farke should earn him more adulation if not adoration.
Gossip: Leeds eye Burnley midfielderpublished at 10:37 GMT 22 January
10:37 GMT 22 January
Leeds United are interested in Burnley attacking midfielder Mike Tresor, who has also been linked with a move to Dutch side Ajax. (Sports Witness, external)
