Brentford v Leeds United Match Thread
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Brentford v Leeds United
Sunday 14th December@16:30 | Gtech Stadium
Leeds United face a daunting trip to Brentford this weekend, returning to a ground that has historically provided little joy for their travelling supporters. The Whites have managed just one win in their last 12 away league games against the Bees (D4 L7), and that solitary victory came in dramatic fashion on the final day of the 2021-22 season, a 2-1 triumph that secured their Premier League survival. That unforgettable clash saw Leeds benefit from a fortuitous penalty converted by Raphinha, Brentford reduced to nine men, and Jack Harrison striking in stoppage time to seal the great escape.
The capital has been an unhappy hunting ground for Leeds in recent years, with nine consecutive Premier League defeats in London since that May 2022 win. Brentford, meanwhile, have been formidable at home this season, losing just once in seven league outings and amassing 16 points, a tally bettered only by the division’s top three sides. Under Keith Andrews, the Bees have combined resilience with physical presence, and they will look to impose themselves in what promises to be a fierce aerial battle. Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads Leeds’ line and has contested 100 aerial duels, the third-highest in the league. He faces a stiff test against Sepp van den Berg, who ranks third for aerials won.
Brentford’s threat in the air extends to their forwards too, with Igor Thiago, suspended Kevin Schade, and Dango Ouattara all among the Premier League’s top 10 aerially dominant attackers. Leeds, however, invested heavily in physicality and height last summer, preparing for exactly such contests. Brentford have a couple of selection concerns, with on-loan winger Reiss Nelson nursing a knock and Schade serving his one-match suspension after accumulating five bookings.
Daniel Farke is expected to stick with his 5-3-2 setup, buoyed by an impressive week that saw Leeds beat Chelsea 3-1 and draw 3-3 with Liverpool. Lukas Nmecha may return to partner Calvert-Lewin if he passes a late fitness test following a hamstring strain, while Jayden Bogle and Ethan Ampadu must tread carefully, each just one caution away from suspension. With Brentford’s home strength and Leeds’ renewed confidence, this fixture promises to be a tense and physically intense encounter; one that could either extend Leeds’ London woes or mark a memorable turnaround for Daniel Farke when only a week ago, his tenure seemed unsustainable.
Sunday 14th December@16:30 | Gtech Stadium
Leeds United face a daunting trip to Brentford this weekend, returning to a ground that has historically provided little joy for their travelling supporters. The Whites have managed just one win in their last 12 away league games against the Bees (D4 L7), and that solitary victory came in dramatic fashion on the final day of the 2021-22 season, a 2-1 triumph that secured their Premier League survival. That unforgettable clash saw Leeds benefit from a fortuitous penalty converted by Raphinha, Brentford reduced to nine men, and Jack Harrison striking in stoppage time to seal the great escape.
The capital has been an unhappy hunting ground for Leeds in recent years, with nine consecutive Premier League defeats in London since that May 2022 win. Brentford, meanwhile, have been formidable at home this season, losing just once in seven league outings and amassing 16 points, a tally bettered only by the division’s top three sides. Under Keith Andrews, the Bees have combined resilience with physical presence, and they will look to impose themselves in what promises to be a fierce aerial battle. Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads Leeds’ line and has contested 100 aerial duels, the third-highest in the league. He faces a stiff test against Sepp van den Berg, who ranks third for aerials won.
Brentford’s threat in the air extends to their forwards too, with Igor Thiago, suspended Kevin Schade, and Dango Ouattara all among the Premier League’s top 10 aerially dominant attackers. Leeds, however, invested heavily in physicality and height last summer, preparing for exactly such contests. Brentford have a couple of selection concerns, with on-loan winger Reiss Nelson nursing a knock and Schade serving his one-match suspension after accumulating five bookings.
Daniel Farke is expected to stick with his 5-3-2 setup, buoyed by an impressive week that saw Leeds beat Chelsea 3-1 and draw 3-3 with Liverpool. Lukas Nmecha may return to partner Calvert-Lewin if he passes a late fitness test following a hamstring strain, while Jayden Bogle and Ethan Ampadu must tread carefully, each just one caution away from suspension. With Brentford’s home strength and Leeds’ renewed confidence, this fixture promises to be a tense and physically intense encounter; one that could either extend Leeds’ London woes or mark a memorable turnaround for Daniel Farke when only a week ago, his tenure seemed unsustainable.