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Leeds logo
Championship
Sep 12, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Brentford logo

1-1

Antenucci (76')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Djuricin (29')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Brentford

Sports Mole previews Leeds United's looming Championship clash against Brentford, as Whites boss Uwe Rosler faces his former club at Elland Road.

Leeds United return to Championship action on Saturday as boss Uwe Rosler comes up against his former side Brentford at Elland Road.

The Whites are looking to push on from a recent victory over Derby County, while Bees coach Marinus Dijkhuizen is seeking to turn the club's fortunes around after a difficult start.


Leeds United

Leeds manager Uwe Rosler during the game with Reading on August 16, 2015© Getty Images

Leeds are back on home soil this weekend with a huge month ahead of them, as Rosler's charges prepare to face fellow promotion hopefuls Brentford, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough in what looks to be a testing September.

Much has been made of the Whites' unbeaten start to the new season, but it must be remembered that Leeds have only claimed one win out of five games this campaign.

Those four other fixtures have concluded in draws against the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday, suggesting that Saturday presents United's first major test of the new season.

Leeds brought in eight new signings over the summer period, and those additions appeared to finally be gelling together when they beat playoff rivals Derby just before the international break.

That away victory over the Rams will undoubtedly be viewed as United's most impressive performance this term, and nobody will be happier than frontman Chris Woods who bagged a vital late winner over Paul Clement's men.

Should Leeds be able to retain their title of being one of just three teams to remain unbeaten this season come the end of Saturday afternoon, fans of the Elland Road club may just begin to consider promotion as a realistic possibility.

Recent form: DDDDW


Brentford

James Tarkowski (2nd R) of Brentford celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Ipswich Town at Griffin Park on August 8, 2015© Getty Images

Life under Dijkhuizen has been taxing so far this campaign for the Premier League-hungry Bees, who have picked up just four points from their opening four fixtures.

Last year's playoff semi-final competitors suffered at the hands of visitors Reading in their last Championship fixture, and were also well beaten by Burnley in the game before that one.

Despite coming in for criticism from both fans and commentators, Brentford evidently still have some steel about them, as shown when they battled back to claim a draw against Ipswich on the opening day of the season.

One major concern being discussed at Griffin Park has been the team's porous defence, which has conceded at least two goals in five of Brentford's last six matches spanning the current and previous Championship seasons.

The big-money departure of Andre Gray has clearly been tough to take, but on the field Brentford's attacking force has continued to tick over given the seven goals bagged in their opening four fixtures.

Had the Bees' defending been a little better, they would probably be sitting a little higher than 18th in the table.

It still remains early days in the league and Dijkhuizen may not be too concerned just yet. However, a win on Saturday would surely get any doubters in Hounslow back on side.

Recent form: DWLL


Team News

Jota of Brentford celebrates scoring his goal with Andre Gray during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Wigan Athletic at Griffin Park on May 2, 2015© Getty Images

United fans could get the chance to see young prospect Jordan Botaka make a debut after becoming the club's final signing of the summer window.

Rosler could quite easily name an unchanged starting XI following the victory against Derby, which would see Woods supported in attack by former Brentford man Stuart Dallas and Sam Byram.

As for the visitors, Brentford are likely to still be without Andreas Bjelland and Jota, who are recovering from injury.

There could, however, be a place in defence for Alan McCormack at right-back.

Given Dijkhuizen's tactics so far this campaign, it is likely that Brentford will begin with a four-five-one formation that sees German youngster Philipp Hofmann lead the attacking line.

Leeds possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Taylor, Beradi, Bamba, Cooper; Mowatt, Adeyemi, Cook; Wood, Dallas, Byram

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Button; McCormack, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Kerschbaumer, Gogia, Judge, Vibe; Hofmann


Head To Head

Brentford have the advantage going into this clash if you were to base their chances on previous games.

Last season, the Bees did the double over the Whites with a 1-0 victory at Elland Road and a comfortable 2-0 win at Griffin Park.

Interestingly, Leeds are yet to record a win over Brentford in modern times and you would have to go back as far as 2010 to see United pick up a single point against the Bees.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: Leeds United 1-2 Brentford

Leeds have not been fully tested this season and could come unstuck by a Brentford side that are still looking to prove themselves under Dijkhuizen.

Brentford have been scoring a good number of goals this season and should prove hard to deal with on Saturday. The Bees inevitably have to show some defensive improvement in the comings weeks, and it could quite foreseeably begin this weekend.



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Written by
Christopher Dodd
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A general view of the outside of the ground ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Derby County at Griffin Park on November 1, 2014
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