Leeds United are set for a Championship blockbuster when they travel to Burnley on Monday night - although it might be one for the purist.

Both sides have attained noteworthy defensive consistency in recent weeks and it might be a case of who unlocks the door first wins. United have the brilliant feat of not losing a single league game under Daniel Farke when they have scored first.

Leeds are two games away from hitting the 30-match mark in the Championship, with many often viewing the final 16 matches as the crunch part of the campaign. Here are four things to look out for ahead of kick-off at Turf Moor next week.

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A statement win

The carrot vs the stick. The big carrot for United on Monday is that should they beat Burnley then they go six points clear of their rivals. At this stage of the season, it would by no means be game over, but it’s a hugely significant advantage.

United have lost just three Championship matches up to this point and it would require the Whites to lose another two for Burnley to draw level. The stick in this context is that the Clarets could go level on points should they come out the victors.

That is not the position Farke would like to find his club in especially with the trip to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United still to come next month.

The positive is that against all three promotion rivals, United have largely been the better side. A win away from home would be the statement needed, though.

Right familiar faces

Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony are both in line to start against their former club on Monday. Roberts is firmly Scott Parker’s first-choice right-back, having held the fort at the back while providing three assists in 22 league games.

Anthony has been used on both flanks this season but has begun the last three Championship fixtures on the right. He has started 24 of his 25 league outings this season but has recorded just one goal and no assists in his last 12 games.

The United faithful will know both well from their time at Elland Road. However, while the duo have a combined 53 United games between them, the battle lines will be firmly drawn on Monday.

Creativity

In order to unlock a defence that has conceded just nine times in 28 Championship matches, Leeds will have to get creative. In recent matches, wing play has been United’s best throng of attack.

But with Roberts and Bashir Humphries at full-back for Burnley, there are no guarantees these avenues will be frequently accessible. After all, this is a side that has kept 18 clean sheets this season.

Farke has called on his attackers to be clinical when they get chances but perhaps first, United must be creative. Unlocking a confident defence that also has Josh Cullen and Josh Laurant protecting them will be tough. It’s a game where Brenden Aaronson, Dan James and Manor Solomon will have to show their true craft.

Keeping it out

United have their own mini clean sheet run going on. They have not shipped a goal in three matches, despite not having Pascal Struijk on the pitch for two-and-a-half of them.

Illan Meslier has 16 clean sheets for himself this season and will be keen to put in a good display given the understandable angst from supporters amid his blunders this season, including against promotion rivals Sunderland back during October’s 2-2 draw.

Farke says he still harbours ambitions to attain the best defensive record in the league but if that is not possible then he wishes to attain the most clean sheets.

If Farke can hand Parker his own medicine and see his side keep a blank on Monday, they do not lose their three-point gap over Burnley.