Leeds United and Brentford have had contrasting starts to their opening three Championship games this season, with Leeds winning two and drawing one of their games and Brentford winning, drawing and losing one. The two sides face off at Elland Road this evening, here is a look at the state of play for both sides.
Leeds United were hit with excessive injury problems last time out, with the full strength squad only being available twice as they finished third in the Championship table, but they are hoping for better luck in that regard this time around.
During Marcelo Bielsa’s pre-match presser yesterday he revealed that the club are sweating on the fitness of three first team squad members Liam Cooper, Ezgjan Alioski and Berry Douglass, this along with the absence of Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts already this season does not bode well if the club are looking to improve on the injury list from last time out.
These doubts could see a first start of the season for Gaetano Berardi and Jamie Shackleton, but the trio of players listed above are still in contention to play.
BRENTFORD
There are no new injury concerns for The Bee’s ahead of their trip to Leeds, with summer signing and former Leeds United fans favourite Pontus Jansson in line to make his first appearance back at Elland Road since his £5.5m switch in July.
LEEDS UNITED STARTING XI (Predicted)
GK- Casilla
RB- Dallas (Shackleton)
CB- White
CB- Cooper (Berardi)
LB- Douglas (Dallas)
DMC- Phillips
CM- Forshaw
ACM- Klich
LW- Harrison
RW- Hernandez
ST- Bamford
SUBS
Meslier
Davis
Shackleton (McCalmont)
Berardi (Gotts)
Costa
Nketiah
Clarke
It should be an entertaining match up in West Yorkshire with both sides noted for their expansive football and attacking style.
I PREDICT
Leeds United 2-1 Brentford FC
