Leeds United vs Brentford: Match Preview and Lineup Insights
Leeds United are back at Elland Road on Sunday with the mood finally turning their way and the stakes rising. Brentford are the visitors, but the story is about a Leeds side that has just stitched together back-to-back wins over Nottingham Forest and now senses an opening.
Daniel Farke has no interest in hiding that intent. He is expected to stick with a bold 3-4-3, load his XI with first‑choice picks and let his team attack the game from the start. At the tip of that system, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to carry the weight of expectation as Leeds’ central striker.
Trafford and a settled back three
In goal, James Trafford keeps his place after a clean sheet in his last outing. Confidence is growing around him, and Farke looks ready to reward that with another start.
Just ahead of him, Leeds are likely to line up with a back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemovic. It is a unit built for structure as much as aggression, tasked with holding a solid line while still being brave enough to squeeze up and keep Brentford penned in.
Nico Elvedi is expected to be the main defensive option on the bench, providing experienced cover across those central roles if Farke needs to adjust the shape or protect a lead.
Engine room built to control
The heart of this Leeds side runs through the middle of the pitch. Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu are set to anchor the midfield, a pairing designed to dictate tempo and keep Leeds on the front foot. They will be asked to recycle possession quickly, break up Brentford counters and feed the front three with early, incisive passes.
Out wide, Jayden Bogle on the right and James Justin on the left will operate as wing-backs with license to surge forward. Both will be pushed high, expected to stretch the game, provide width and deliver from advanced areas, while still tracking back to protect the flanks when Brentford break.
Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff are likely to start on the bench, waiting for the moment when fresh legs and a different passing profile could tilt the midfield battle in the second half.
Front three with a point to prove
Higher up the pitch, Farke looks set to trust Brenden Aaronson on the left of the front three. His job is clear: find pockets between the lines, link with Calvert-Lewin and drift inside to open space for Justin on the overlap.
On the opposite side, Harry Wilson is expected to start on the right. He will look to cut inside onto his stronger foot, threaten from distance and combine with Bogle to overload Brentford’s left.
Through the middle, Calvert-Lewin leads the line for the West Yorkshire club. Leeds need him to be more than just a presence in the box; they need him to bully centre-backs, pin the defence and turn half-chances into goals. If he starts fast, Elland Road will follow.
On the bench, Noah Okafor and Daniel James offer a different kind of threat. Both bring pace and direct running, ideal weapons for the final quarter if the game opens up or if Leeds are chasing a goal late on.
One notable absence hangs over the forward line. Wilfried Gnonto misses out with a thigh injury, a blow to Leeds’ attacking depth and unpredictability. It puts even more responsibility on those selected to keep this mini-run going and turn momentum into something more lasting.
