Leeds Leeds vs Brentford
England – Championship
Date: Wednesday, 21 August 2019
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Elland Road (Leeds).
Team News
Marcelo Bielsa's side claimed 14 wins at Elland Road last season when they finished third in the Championship after the final slip saw them lose automatic promotion. The record was even worse because they only got one point from their last two home league matches before being beaten 4-2 by Derby in the playoff semi-final second leg playoff.
One point lost by the Whites this season came at home against Nottingham Forest when they had to settle for a 1-1 draw after advancing, but in general Elland Road is a difficult place for the away team to take points from.
Bamford hasn't won completely over the fans at Elland Road since his £ 11 million move from Boro last August, but his brace will ease early season tension and his manager is happy. Bielsa said, "For a striker, scoring goals will always be important. This will be a big positive for him and also for the team. He is a player with a big personality, and to score two goals will clearly interest him. "
Bielsa has kept the league unchanged from XI for the Wigan game and is likely to do it again even though the game comes thick and fast. He remains without Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts and forward Eddie Nketiah, on loan from Arsenal, may have to wait for his full league debut despite scoring against Salford in the League Cup. For now, Patrick Bamford's form is enough to keep him on the bench.
Brentford Team News
Brentford's 2-0 home win over Leeds towards the end of last season was a major factor in denying their opponents automatic promotion opportunities.
Bees fought away from home last season, winning just three matches away from home but will be encouraged by collecting three points at Boro to claim their only win so far this season.
Bees had an indifferent start to their campaign despite success at Middlesbrough. The key question is where will the goal come from now that Neal Maupay has moved to the Premier League, but Ollie Watkins is the one in charge of filling the offense and with two goals in the last two league games that he has started well.
Thomas Frank can throw Said Benrahma first started this semester when he returned from ankle problems.
Neither side is productive in front of goal with the Brentford match producing under 2.5 goals in five of their last six Championship matches.
Leeds United vs Brentford: Head to Head
Overall statistics: Brentord 8 wins, Leeds 6 wins, 8 draws.
Last season's meeting ended with a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, winning 2-0 to Bees at Griffin Park.
We haven't seen an away win in this match since 2015. Since then the home team won five times and three matches ended in a stalemate.
Five of the last six matches between these teams have ended with Under 2.5.
Leeds United vs Brentford: Predictions
The Whites flew with rejuvenated Pablo Hernandez and revived Patrick Bamford who ran the show. The Spaniard had the best season of his career at the age of 33, and he looks better now, all thanks to the man - Marcelo Bielsa.
Eddie Nketiah, an Arsenal loan player, has scored on his debut in the League Cup, and he also has to get a few minutes here. The young man had a strong pre-season for the London outfit, scoring 3 goals against Fiorentina and Bayern Munich.
Brentford is difficult to 'read' today. Last season they have collected more than 70% of their points at their Griffin Park, and fought hard on the road, with only 3 wins from 23 matches. This season they started with a defeat at home and an away win at Boro. I hope they return to their old ways, starting on Wednesday.
Leeds play good football and with so many quality choices up front, I will be willing to support them against the overhauled Brentford team.
Leeds United vs Brentford: Betting Tips
Leeds United won @ 1.69
Leeds United scored more than 1.5 goals @ 1.61
