MX23RW : Monday, February 24 21:47:18| >> :600:1163441:1163441:
Feb 11, 2020 at 7.45pm UK at ​Griffin Park
Attendance: 12,294
Brentford
1-1
LeedsLeeds United
Benrahma (25')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Cooper (38')

Preview: Brentford vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Tuesday's Championship fixture between Brentford and Leeds United.

Brentford play host to Leeds United at Griffin Park on Tuesday night with the opportunity to move ahead of their second-placed opponents in the Championship standings.

Leeds make the trip to London knowing that only maximum points will do if they want to ensure that they remain in the automatic promotion places.


Match preview

Shocked Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa on February 8, 2020© Reuters

While Marcelo Bielsa has claimed that he should take the blame for Leeds's 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, it remains to be seen whether the Argentine will change his mindset regarding the rotation of his players.

The Yorkshire giants ran out of steam in last season's title race, eventually losing in the playoffs, and four losses in five outings suggests that the club are on their way to the same fate unless something changes at Elland Road.

Given that he has opted against mass alterations in the past, switching his strategy for a game of this magnitude is unlikely, although there is enough evidence to give justification to making significant changes.

Leeds have failed to score in five of their last six games in all competitions, indicating that the time may be right to introduce January arrival Jean-Kevin Augustin to the starting lineup.

At the opposite end of the pitch, it has been 11 matches since a clean sheet was recorded - a run stretching back to December 10.

Despite having recently gone through their own barren spell in front of goal, Brentford have responded with eight strikes from their last two games in the Championship.

Although the Bees have only moved up to fifth place, they are now in touching distance with the teams above them, putting Thomas Frank's side a win away from overtaking their opponents on Tuesday.

Frank would have been less than impressed with his side's defending in the second half against Middlesbrough, with two goals being conceded in the space of five minutes.

However, it created the platform for Ollie Watkins's late winner, and Frank will expect his players to continue where they left off when going toe to toe with one of their direct rivals for a place in next season's Premier League.

Brentford Championship form: WWDLWW
Brentford form (all competitions): WDLLWW

Leeds United Championship form: DLLWLL
Leeds United form (all competitions): LLLWLL


Team News

Leeds' Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring their third goal on January 28, 2020© Reuters

Despite Bielsa's loyalty towards Patrick Bamford, RB Leipzig loanee Augustin could be preferred for this contest.

Gaetano Berardi may potentially return to the first XI at left-back, which would allow Ezgjan Alioski to move further forward.

Such a move would leave either Jack Harrison or Helder Costa to drop down to the substitutes' bench, while Bielsa will be able to call upon Kalvin Phillips after suspension.

Barring any late fitness issues, Frank is expected to name the same team which began the weekend's encounter with Middlesbrough.

That would see Shandon Baptiste and Tariqe Fosu-Henry, signed from Oxford United in January, made to wait for their debuts.

Former Leeds defender Pontus Jansson is pushing for a return to the squad after injury.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Martin; Dalsgaard, Jeanvier, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Watkins, Benrahma

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, White, Cooper, Berardi; Phillips, Hernandez, Klich; Harrison, Alioski, Augustin


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Brentford 3-1 Leeds United

Unless Bielsa changes his stance regarding alterations, we cannot see anything other than a Brentford win. The Bees had to fight until the final whistle to see off Middlesbrough, but momentum can be everything to teams looking to close down rivals who sit above them in the table.


body check tags ::

Who will win Tuesday's Championship clash between Brentford and Leeds United?

Brentford
Draw
Leeds United
Brentford
55.6%
Draw
18.5%
Leeds United
25.9%
Share this article now:
New Instagram promo
Brentford boss Thomas Frank on February 8, 2020
Read Next:
Thomas Frank salutes Brentford's "coolness and discipline"
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool27261064174779
2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester27155754272750
4Chelsea2713594537844
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd27118841291241
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs2711794436840
7Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2791263832639
9Arsenal2781363936337
10Burnley27114123339-637
11Everton27106113641-536
12Southampton27104133448-1434
13Crystal Palace2789102432-833
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2787122441-1731
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton27610113239-728
16Bournemouth2775152643-1726
17Aston Villa2774163452-1825
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2766153248-1624
19Watford2759132443-1924
20Norwich CityNorwich2746172451-2718

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!