MY ACCOUNT
Leeds return to the ground where they produced a Houdini act to avoid relegation in 2021-22 when they take on Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Whites have stayed off the ropes so far this season, taking eight points from their first five games to sit proudly in the top six.
Although Jesse Marsch’s men could not escape the feeling of having dropped two points in midweek when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Everton.
Brentford broke free of Crystal Palace’s shackles to grab a late equaliser at Selhurst Park on Tuesday, thereby extending their fine start to the campaign with another hard-earned point.
But Leeds are the only Premier League team to have beaten them at home since February, so the Bees will be under no illusion over how hard their next task will be.
Brentford vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)
Team news
Skipper Pontus Jansson is hoping to return from a foot injury, having been touch and go for inclusion for Brentford’s trip to South London in midweek.
Mathias Jorgensen could continue alongside Ben Mee at the heart of the Bees’ back four, if the captain’s absence is prolonged.
Christian Norgaard remains unavailable after missing out against Palace due to a minor injury he picked up in the 1-1 home draw with Everton last weekend.
Vitaly Janelt looks likely to keep his place in midfield while Shandon Baptiste and Keane Lewis-Potter hope to build on their first league starts of the season at Selhurst Park.
For Leeds, Rodrigo is going to be out for some time after suffering a dislocated shoulder against the Toffees — leaving Marsch with reduced options up front.
Later in that game, Patrick Bamford made a 15-minute cameo appearance on his return from an injury sustained earlier in August.
But the striker is unlikely to be deemed fit enough to start yet — meaning Joe Gelhardt is Marsch’s only viable choice to start within the same tactical system.
Luis Sinisterra did more than enough on his Premier League debut to suggest he will keep Daniel James out of the team, while Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich are on hand if the American decides to freshen up his midfield in West London.
The stats
Colombia international Sinisterra is the first Leeds player to score in his first two starts for the club since Eddie Nketiah in 2019.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney scored more Premier League goals last season (12) than all three members of Leeds’ current strikeforce combined (10).
Toney has hit the target with only two of his nine total shots this season, although both on-target efforts resulted in goals.
Leeds have conceded more fouls than any other side in the top flight this season (65), committing at least 10 in each of their five games so far.
Sergi Canos has scored in three of his last four appearances against Leeds, netting in both home and away league meetings last season.
Brentford have hit the woodwork four times — more than any other Premier League club this season — while Leeds are one of two remaining teams not to have struck the post or crossbar yet.
Prediction
Leeds secured their top-flight status at Brentford last May, but the Bees played out the final, crucial minutes with just nine players on the pitch after a red card and a late injury when all their substitutes had been used.
This time, the Whites could struggle without Rodrigo and, if Bamford is restricted to a second-half substitute role, there will be a lot of pressure on the young shoulders of Gelhardt.
The Bees will not be at full strength either but, in Toney, they have a potential matchwinner that will be a real handful for the visitors’ back four.
