Brentford head to Elland Road on Saturday night looking to answer Monday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves, while Leeds try to build on a hard-earned point at Crystal Palace in their fight to stay clear of trouble.
Brentford return to Premier League action on Saturday's late kick-off away to Leeds United, knowing this is an immediate chance to turn recent frustration into momentum.
The Bees sit in 7th place with 45 points from 30 matches, still very much in the hunt for the European places, while Leeds sit 15th after taking a goalless draw at Crystal Palace last time out.
A quick response is needed
The main task for Brentford is straightforward. They have to show a reaction after letting a two-goal lead slip against Wolves on Monday night. Michael Kayode and Igor Thiago put the Bees in charge at the Gtech Community Stadium, and Thiago’s strike was his 19th Premier League goal of the season, but Wolves fought back to leave Keith Andrews’ side with only a point from a game they had looked set to win. Brentford stayed seventh, but it was a missed opportunity to apply more pressure above them.
That frustration should sharpen the focus rather than damage it. For long periods against Wolves, Brentford looked like the more dangerous side, with Thiago again central to it and Dango Ouattara involved in the move for the second goal. The issue was not whether Brentford could create enough. It was whether they could maintain control for the full 90 minutes. That is the balance they will need to find at Elland Road, especially against a home side likely to make the game tense and physical.
Leeds have become difficult to break down
From Brentford’s point of view, the warning sign comes from Leeds’ last outing. Daniel Farke’s side drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace despite playing the second half with 10 men after Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent off in first-half stoppage time and will, in turn, miss the match against the Bees. Leeds were 15th after that result, and the club’s own review of the performance underlined just how stubborn they had become. Leeds did not concede a single shot on target after the first-half dismissal, and their defensive numbers were heavy, including 55 clearances, 15 tackles and 57 duels won.
That makes this a different kind of test for Brentford. The Bees will expect to see plenty of the ball at stages, but Leeds have shown they can stay in matches even when the game turns against them.
Brentford’s attacking edge could be the difference
Even so, Brentford travel with the stronger attacking profile. Thiago’s goal against Wolves continued an excellent individual season, and the Bees have shown throughout the campaign that they can score in bursts when their front line clicks. The reverse fixture also offers a reminder that Leeds can be troubled by Brentford’s directness and movement, even if the December meeting at the Gtech ended in a 1-1 draw after the visitors hit back.
Team news is still part of the equation for Andrews. Before the Wolves game, Brentford said Rico Henry would be out for numerous weeks with a hamstring injury, while Aaron Hickey, Vitaly Janelt and Josh Dasilva also remained sidelined. Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo are out for the rest of the season, although Reiss Nelson made his return to the team, with a 5-minute cameo at the end of the tie with Wolves. There are still limits on Brentford’s depth, but the core of the side remains strong enough to expect a proper push over the final stretch.