Brentford Team News vs Leeds: Damsgaard Absent From Keith Andrews’ Matchday Squad

Brentford have confirmed their side for tonight’s Premier League trip to Leeds, with the main selection news being Damsgaard’s absence.

Keith Andrews said on Friday that the midfielder would be given every chance to prove his fitness, but he is not involved at Elland Road. That leaves Brentford without one of their main creative players for a game that looked likely to be physical and intense from the outset.

Speaking via the Club's X account, Andrews explained the decision of Damsgaard not making the squad, with Ouattara starting from the bench: "Dams didn’t make it [tonight].Dango has had a disrupted week and in terms of our structure, we have a versatile group of players and what we can do with and without the ball can change week to week. Ethan will come in and I am sure he will play a big part"

Brentford head into the night seventh in the table on 45 points from 30 matches and still pushing for a European place, while Leeds are 15th and trying to build on a goalless draw away to Crystal Palace. Brentford therefore arrive needing both a result and a response after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves, when they let a two-goal lead slip.

Kelleher starts in goal behind a back four of Michael Kayode, captain Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock and Sepp van den Berg. In midfield, Andrews has gone with Jordan Henderson, Mathias Jensen and Yehor Yarmoliuk, while Kevin Schade and Keane Lewis-Potter support Igor Thiago in attack.

Without Damsgaard, there is likely to be greater attacking responsibility on Thiago, with Schade and Lewis-Potter expected to stretch Leeds in transition. That feels especially relevant given Thiago’s form. His goal against Wolves was his 19th in the Premier League this season, and Brentford’s attacking threat remains one of the clearest reasons they are still firmly in the European conversation.

Caoimhín Kelleher, Michael Kayode, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Sepp van den Berg, Jordan Henderson, Mathias Jensen, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Kevin Schade, Igor Thiago, Keane Lewis-Potter

Valdimarsson, Nelson, Ouattara, Donovan, Furo, Bentt, Shield, Stephenson, McManus.

The bench also reflects some of Brentford’s current absences, with several younger options included among the substitutes. Dango Ouattara is the main senior attacking alternative if Andrews wants to change the front line later in the game.

Leeds showed in their last outing that they can stay in games even when the momentum is against them, holding Crystal Palace to a draw despite playing the second half with 10 men and posting heavy defensive numbers. Brentford were always likely to need patience as well as threat at Elland Road, and Damsgaard’s absence only increases the importance of quick, direct work from the front three.