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Danny Bloomer

Leeds United news as pundit makes relegation favourites claim and Frank addresses past comments

Here are the latest Leeds United evening headlines on Thursday, 19 May.

Owen on relegation

Michael Owen believes Burnley have a slight edge over Leeds United in the battle to avoid relegation. Leeds currently sit one point ahead of the Clarets, however they do have a game in hand at Aston Villa this evening.

Due to their far superior goal difference, Burnley know that a draw would move them out of the bottom three ahead of the final day of the season on Sunday. Speaking on Premier League Daily, Owen claimed that while points on the board at this stage are more important, he thinks Burnley are ‘slight favourites’ over Leeds to stay up.

He said: “Everton definitely have the advantage. They have had a nice little run of things recently. That win against Chelsea was absolutely huge.

READ MORE: Leeds United supporters wade into Aston Villa mentions ahead of crunch Burnley clash

“Their real big game is Palace. If they can get a point, then I think it’s pretty much them safe. I can’t see Burnley getting four points or more.

“That leaves us, realistically with Burnley (and Leeds), they have to go to Aston Villa. That’s not an easy one. Then, both of them (Burnley and Leeds) have got winnable games last game of the season. I think having points in the bag, in this part of the season, is vitally important.

“Burnley have that extra game, you would probably say they are slight favourites. But only slight in staying up ahead of Leeds.”

Frank on *that* video

Last time Leeds United and Brentford met in a crucial clash, both sides were battling for automatic promotion from the Championship. Leeds were on a poor run of form and looked like slipping out of the top two, with Brentford on their tails.

That led to comments from Brentford manager ahead of the game, as he stated that Leeds would 'fear' coming to Griffin Park. Those comments appeared rankled with Leeds fans and appeared to motivate Marcelo Bielsa's players as they claimed a draw in that game and went on to win the Championship title by ten points, with Brentford missing out on promotion.

Leeds players were then filmed singing 'mind the gap, Thomas Frank' during their title celebrations. The video came back into circulation in recent weeks as it became clear that Brentford - promoted a season later - could possibly relegate Jesse Marsch 's side this Sunday and Frank addressed the situation in his pre-match press conference.

"I said after the Everton game that I think the only thing I said before that Leeds game was that they probably would fear coming to Griffin Park because we are in good form," the Dane told the media. "That was the only thing and in hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t say that.

"People are thinking I do mind games. I don’t do mind games, I’m just honest. I’m just speaking about what I see from my perspective.”

Read more from Frank here.

James and Koch internationals

Leeds United winger Daniel James has been called up for the latest Wales squad as Rob Page's side look to book a place in this year's World Cup finals in Qatar. The Dragons face four difficult upcoming fixtures, with their World Cup qualifying play-off final against either Scotland or Ukraine, before a trio of Nations League fixtures.

Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands will provide he opposition there, with James set to be well-rested as he will have missed the final two Premier League fixtures of the season, following his red card against Chelsea. Meanwhile, the Germany squad has been released, with Leeds defender, Robin Koch absent.

Read more here.

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