MY ACCOUNT
– Brentford have scored in seven of their nine Premier League away games
– Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals has occurred in nine of Leeds’ last 11
– Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score and over 2.5 goals
Fresh from firing in five goals against Cardiff in the cup, Leeds host Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Willy Gnonto ignited the atmosphere at Elland Road in midweek with his spectacular first-minute volley that paved the way for a 5-2 rout of the Bluebirds.
That was also the score when the Bees beat Jesse Marsch’s men in West London earlier this season with the Whites’ manager receiving his marching orders for blowing his top at the referee.
Brentford won only one of their next eight matches in the league, but have subsequently been securing some eye-catching results to move into eighth place in the table.
Leeds start the weekend in 14th place and only two points clear of the relegation zone.
Team news
New signing Georginio Rutter “has looked good in training” and could be in the squad for Sunday’s game.
Marsch could hand Max Wober his full Premier League bow after the defender overcame an apparent hip problem that forced him off in the second half against Cardiff.
Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Robin Koch all sat out the midweek FA Cup replay with minor knocks, but one of the trio could be dropped in favour of the Austrian.
Stuart Dallas (knee), Archie Gray (ankle) and Crysencio Summerville (ankle) are still unavailable for this weekend’s clash.
For Brentford, Thomas Frank hopes to have Rico Henry back for the game after the defender missed the Bees’ win 2-0 win over Bournemouth with a calf injury.
Vitaly Janelt could revert back to his usual midfield role if the former Walsall man reclaims his left-back spot with Josh Dasilva the most likely starter from last weekend’s win to drop down to the bench.
Aaron Hickey may be selected in the matchday squad for the first time since October after a spell out with an ankle injury.
But Pontus Jansson (hamstring) and Frank Onyeka (thigh) remain sidelined, while Shandon Baptiste is still a little way off regaining full fitness after a groin problem.
The stats
Gnonto is the youngest Leeds United player (19 years, 74 days) to score in consecutive appearances at Elland Road since Alan Smith in October 1999 (18 years, 358 days).
Gnonto is the youngest Leeds United player (19 years, 74 days) to score twice in a game since Fabian Delph in October 2008 against Walsall (18 years, 339 days).
Leeds clocked up 13,000 metres of intense running against Aston Villa, a feat which has only been bettered once in the last five years in the Premier League.
Ivan Toney has converted all of the 21 penalties he has taken for the Bees.
Prediction
Brentford are catching Leeds at a bad time here with a new mood of optimism around Elland Road following the midweek FA Cup replay win and the performances of new fan favourite Gnonto.
The Whites have also spent a significant sum in the transfer market to strengthen their attacking options while the return to fitness and form of Patrick Bamford could be huge for the club’s trajectory.
The Bees won their last two Premier League away games, at Manchester City and West Ham, but were very prone to draw prior to that.
Frank’s side are usually good for a goal or two on their travels, registering in seven of their nine away trips in 2022-23.
And that trait, alongside Leeds’ habit of scoring and conceding in the same game, suggests an entertaining encounter will be in store.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals has occurred in nine of Leeds’ last 11 competitive matches and another such game, available to back at 5/6 with LiveScore Bet, could be played out in West Yorkshire.
