‘The best’ – EFL experts pile praise on Burnley amid warning to Leeds United and Sheffield United

Add as preferred source on Google

Burnley and Scott Parker consolidated their place in third in the Championship following a 2-0 win against Swansea City this weekend.

Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last season after just one year in the division, and despite losing manager Vincent Kompany and a host of key players in the summer, they are in a great position to bounce back from the Championship at the first attempt under the guidance of Scott Parker.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57

The race to gain promotion from the Championship heated up yet again this weekend, but the Clarets held up their end of the bargain by beating Swansea; it still wasn’t enough to go into the international break in the top two as they sit third and two points off the automatic places.

Although a play-off place is already assured for Parker’s side, they won’t be settling for a place in the top six and will instead want to claw back one of the two sides above them, but that promises to be a tough ask given their tricky-looking fixture list during the automatic promotion run-in.

• READ MORE: How much Championship title is worth as Leeds United and Sheffield United chase Premier League prize fund

Burnley hit their best form of the season — according to Championship pundits

The Clarets have been in and around the top two for much of the season, with their success being built on a remarkable defensive record. But, with the international break upon us, that signifies the business end of the season for Sheffield United, Burnley, and table toppers Leeds United.

They remain locked in a fierce battle for automatic promotion with two other sides but have recently hit their stride. The likes of Josh Brownhill, Jaidon Anthony, Zian Flemming, and Marcus Edwards give them plenty of attacking options capable of changing a game or becoming a match-winner.

Ali Maxwell and George Elek of the Not The Top 20 Podcast have outlined their thoughts on the current situation at Turf Moor. Maxwell said: “I can’t help but be quite impressed with what I’m seeing over the last month or so from this Burnley side.

“Not just the clean sheets, but what I’m seeing going forward as well.”

Elek responded: “This is the best Burnley have been this season by miles. You and I have [previously] poured cold water over their runs of form and been frustrated with their attacking output.

“At times, even doubted the sustainability of their defensive numbers. But right now, Burnley are a side that restrict the opposition to very little and carry a massive attacking threat.

“They just kept their foot on the gas and they were the better team throughout the whole game. Swansea didn’t have a shot until the 40th minute.

“This was a Burnley side just totally suffocating their hosts, really. I feel like we’re finally seeing a side that are consistently still posting those defensive numbers but are now carrying a real attacking threat.

“Right now, in the top three, who is playing the best? I’ve always been big [on] Leeds, and I still believe Leeds are the best team in the league.

“But Burnley are the team who seem to be — [in terms of] the results and performances — very, very strong.”

• READ MORE: The highest points tallies in Championship history: Can Leeds United or Sheffield United break the record this season?

Burnley solution is a problem for Sheffield United and Leeds United

Given the talent on display at each Championship team, but particularly within Burnley’s ranks, it is no great surprise that the Clarets are now attacking with more vigour and comfortably putting teams away.

Burnley are unbeaten in 25 games and yet their attacking output has been questioned for much of the campaign. However, as you can see below — since consecutive 0-0 draws with Leeds and Portsmouth — it’s difficult to have much to complain about regarding Parker’s well-rounded unit.

The Clarets’ have hit some form and momentum at the right time looking at their next two games, which come against play-off hopefuls Coventry City and Bristol City, and if they can come through those relatively unscathed, then the picture suddenly looks promising for a side who are scoring more freely.