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Preview: Leeds United vs Brentford

Whites face the Bees at Elland Road.

ELLAND ROAD.jpg

Leeds United face Brentford on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League (2pm), which will be the first meeting between the two teams in the top division of English football since 1947.

Both teams have strong records when looking at different stats, going into this fixture. The Whites have lost just once against Brentford in their last 14 home league encounters, winning seven and drawing six.

The Bees have reason to be confident themselves however, as they are unbeaten in their last six away matches against Yorkshire sides, winning four and drawing two.

Thomas Frank’s side have adapted well to life in the Premier League this season, and currently sit in 12th position in the table. From their 14 matches, they have won four, drawn four and lost six, meaning they are fully deserving of their current mid-table position, despite just one win in their last five.

The Whites go into the game with just one loss in their last five, which was a narrow defeat away at Spurs. Back-to-back clean sheets against Brighton and Crystal Palace were welcomed, with Leeds now looking to make it back to back victories for the first time this season following Tuesday night’s stoppage time winner.

Raphinha calmly netted the last minute penalty against Palace and in doing so, claimed his sixth league goal of the campaign. The Brazilian has been in fine form throughout and tops the goalscoring charts for his side.

Marcelo Bielsa could welcome back Patrick Bamford this weekend after missing for most of the season. The striker hit 17 goals last season and will add more competition in attacking areas if he is involved. Also looking to come back will be Luke Ayling, another longer-term absentee who has been missed.

If United can achieve back to back victories on home turf, they could go as high as 11th in the table and above Sunday’s opponents. Three points for Brentford could see them enter the top 10, with current occupants Leicester firmly in their sights.

The match has not been selected for live broadcast but live commentary is available as always on LUTV, with up to date blog coverage on leedsunited.com

Manager/head coach:

Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa

Brentford: Thomas Frank

What Marcelo Bielsa said ahead of the match?

“So far, Brentford have shown to be a different team in the Premier League. The most significant thing is the amount of elements they attack with and the management they have of the ball in all the sectors of the pitch. Anyone who has seen Brentford play this season can see they attack with six players and they always want to keep the ball. That’s not common in any league.”

League position

Leeds: 16th

Brentford: 12th

Premier League form

Leeds: WDLDW

Brentford: LLDWL

Top scorer

Leeds: Raphinha (6)

Brentford: Toney, Forss, Wissa (5)

Head to head

Leeds: 14

Draws: 14

Brentford: 12

A memorable moment against Brentford…

Team news

Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling are ‘likely’ to be available for the match after a long time out with injury, with Pascal Struijk also receiving the positive news that he could be involved, despite a slight knock.

For Brentford, they are still missing a number of players. Kristoffer Ajer, David Raya, Tariqe Fosu, Josh Dasilva, Julian Jeanvier and Mathias Jorgensen are all still expected to be missing from the squad on Sunday.

Officials

Referee - David Coote

Assistant Referee 1 - Nick Hopton

Assistant Referee 2 - James Mainwaring

Fourth Official - Michael Salisbury

Video Assistant Referee - Darren Cann

The key battle

Diego Llorente vs Pontus Jansson

A familiar face will return to Elland Road on Sunday, at the heart of the Bees’ defence. Pontus Jansson will be looking to captain his side to a clean sheet against the Whites, whilst down the other end Diego Llorente will be aiming to do the same, for a third consecutive outing. Take a look at some key stats between the two this season.

Latest odds

Leeds: 10/11

Draw: 5/2

Brentford: 3/1

How to watch

The match has not been selected for live broadcast but live commentary is available as always on LUTV, with up to date blog coverage on leedsunited.com

Supporter information

Please read this important information ahead of the game.

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