Daniel Farke Downplays Burnley Match as 'Must-Win' for Leeds

Daniel Farke

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke doesn't view the Burnley match as a 'must-win' despite the team's relegation concerns.

“Games on a Premier League level are always big, all 38 games...”

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has downplayed the significance of Saturday's match against Burnley, stating that it's “not a must-win” game. Despite Burnley's impressive home form, having won all four league points at Turf Moor this season, Farke believes his team can still achieve a positive result.

Farke's comments come after Leeds secured their first away win of the season against Wolves, boosting their confidence ahead of the Burnley match. Although Burnley have been solid at home, Farke is unfazed, citing his team's victory in the league last season despite losing to Burnley twice.

Farke's Positive Outlook: Team News and Expectations

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke shared mostly positive team news ahead of the Burnley match, which could be a crucial step in the team's fight against relegation. A win would boost their league standings and potentially push them into the top half of the table.

“Today more or less the first time the players are all back together. Several players were able to return to the training pitch, others needed individual recovery sessions.

“We'll just have them all together tomorrow in the final session so it's a bit tricky to prepare, but we are used to it. 

“We'll have to take some late decisions because of workload, knocks, late flights. We'll do that after our final session tomorrow afternoon before we travel to Burnley.”

Injury Updates: Mixed Bag for Leeds

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke provided updates on several injured players, including Dan James and Willy Gnonto, with the news offering a mix of positives and negatives ahead of the Burnley match.

“The good news with Lucas Perri is he was able to train the last two weeks with us, he also used the international break to build up his fitness level.

“With Willy Gnonto he won't be able to be with us for this game. His calf issue is sorted, but he used the international beak to have a little hernia surgery so its not a major thing, but he will be back in team training next week and maybe available for next Friday (v West Ham, October 24th).

“Very positive news with Dan James becaues he is a little ahead of schedule with his rehab, so credit to our medical departerment and rehab coaches. He's been in training but not in contention for the starting line-up. He's in contention to be in the squad - I didn't expect this.

“Noah Okafor is struggling a bit with some abductor issues.”

💬 𝗗𝗙 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀:
"Lucas Perri was able to train with us in the past two weeks and he’s building up his fitness level. Gnonto won’t be available, his calf problems are sorted but he needed hernia surgery. Dan James is ahead of schedule but won’t be in contention to… pic.twitter.com/awDfFJUcVv

— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 16, 2025

Farke: Burnley Match “Not a Must-Win”

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has downplayed the idea that Saturday's match against Burnley is a “must-win” game, despite the constant threat of relegation looming over the club after being promoted last season.

“Games on a Premier League level are always big, all 38 games. You have to prepare like for a festive period for each and every game, if not you have no chance at Premier League level.

“It's definitely not a must-win game, it's an away game for a newly promoted side, you're always the underdog as a newly promoted side playing away.

“Last season Burnley had a fantastic season, 100 points, they were our two most difficult games last season, why should it be must-win now? We didn't win against them last season, and still managed to win the league with 100 points so it's definitely not must-win.”

Tough Upcoming Fixtures: “Not Exactly Easy”

Farke dismisses the idea that Leeds' upcoming fixtures against Brighton, West Ham, Burnley, and Nottingham Forest are easier, despite all four teams currently sitting in the bottom half of the table. “The next four games will be difficult,” he warned.

“It doesn't matter where you win the points, you can also take points as an underdog against the top teams. In the end you have to be there with a one points average per team. I wouldn't label it as a easier period for us, it's the other way round.

“The last four games we've had excellent performances, would have deserved more points from those ganes. Solid performance level, and exactly the average of points we need per game. It could and should have been a bit more, we were unlucky.

“I would say the next four games is a more difficult period because we have three away games and just one at home.”