This time last year, Connor Roberts was at Leeds United and trying to help Daniel Farke’s side win a place in the Premier League – but now, he will be trying to stop The Whites.
In January 2024, Leeds made only one signing in the form of Wales star Connor Roberts. He joined Leeds on the final day of the window to provide Leeds with some cover on the right side of Farke’s defence.
The 29-year-old only played 15 times for Leeds, starting just three times for The Whites. Defeat in the play-off final saw players depart, including the Welshman as Roberts returned to parent club Burnley.
Football is full moments where stars align, and it seems to be the case this season. Roberts is back in the fold at Burnley and has played in 33 of his side’s 38 Championship games during the 2024-25 campaign.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Connor Roberts posts on Instagram as Burnley take on Leeds
Roberts will be in action for Wales tonight as Joe Rodon, Dan James and Karl Darlow take on Elland Road cult hero Gjanni Alioski and his North Macedonia side. Following that, the Championship run-in is back.
Leeds sit top of the table, level on points with Sheffield United and two ahead of Burnley in third. Roberts took to Instagram ahead of Tuesday’s game, telling fans to “buckle in” ahead of the Championship run-in.
He said: “Last international before the run in… buckle up fellllllas.”
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Roberts’ Burnley have the toughest run-in in the last eight games
Leeds have the easiest run-in judging by league position, with the average position of The Whites’ eight remaining opponents at a lowly. For Burnley, it is 10.6 – with Burnley and Sheffield United yet to do battle.
Leeds United’s fixtures Sheffield United’s fixtures Burnley’s fixtures
Swansea (H)16th Coventry (H)5th Bristol City (H)7th
Luton (A)23rd Oxford United (A)18th Coventry (A)5th
Middlesbrough (A)8th Millwall (H)11th Derby (A)22nd
Preston (H)14th Plymouth (A)24th Norwich (H)13th
Oxford United (A)18th Cardiff (H)21st Watford (A)10th
Stoke (H)20th Burnley (A)3rd Sheffield United (H)2nd
Bristol City (H)7th Stoke (A)20th QPR (A)15th
Plymouth (A)24th Blackburn (H)9th Millwall (H)11th
Average league position: 15.0 Average league position: 13.9 Average league position: 10.6
Roberts is thriving after forming a solid partnership with Jaidon Anthony on Burnley’s right, the other loan player to leave Leeds last summer after Farke watched his side lose to Southmpton in the play-off final.
But they will form the right side of a Burnley team aiming to thwart Leeds in the race for promotion, with Burnley preparing for a difficult clash against an in-form Bristol City at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.