Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United will face Thomas Frank’s Brentford at Elland Road tomorrow in what is a crucial game for the Whites.
When the two sides last met, Leeds were on the wrong end of a 5-2 drubbing. This time around, Jesse Marsch will be hoping to exact some revenge on Thomas Frank’s side and take the sting out of The Bees. After Saturday’s fixtures Leeds sit in 16th position in the Premier League table but with two games in hand over most of the bottom six, meaning a win tomorrow would do the Whites the world of good, moving them into 14th and three points clear of the relegation zone.
The hosts will be bouncing after demolishing Championship side Cardiff City 5-2 in the FA Cup this week and Jesse Marsch will be hoping his side can use that momentum to gain their first Premier League win since early November. Brentford completed a routine 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Bournemouth last week, making it four wins from five games and will be hoping to keep that run going at Elland Road.
Leeds will again be without long-term absentees, Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray with Adam Forshaw joining them with another lengthy lay-off. Crysencio Summerville has progressed well from his ankle injury but is still not ready to resume training. Liam Cooper and Robin Koch were both rested in midweek after the pair suffered minor knocks. New signing Maximilian Wober has recovered from a thigh problem sustained in the Cardiff win.
Another new signing Georginio Rutter is expected to be included in the squad but is more likely to get his first taste of football at Elland Road from the bench. Louis Sinisterra came on as a late substitute in midweek and is fit and available for selection.
Brentford are without former Leeds fan favourite Pontus Jansson and Frank Onyeka but Rico Henry is available after missing the win over Bournemouth.
Ivan Toney is set to lead the line whilst new signing Kevin Schade is pushing for his first start. Bryan Mbeuemo, Keane Lewis-Potter and Yoane Wissa are all competing for a place in attack.
Possible Line ups:
Leeds United:
Meslier, Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Adams, Roca, Harrison, Aaronson, Gnonto, Rodrigo.
Brentford:
Raya, Ajer, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa.
Referee: Peter Banks. Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh. Fourth Official: Graham Scott. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring.
Vital Leeds Score Prediction: Leeds 2 (Rodrigo, Gnonto) Brentford 2 (Toney X2)
Leeds V Brentford, 22 nd January, 2 pm kick-off, Elland Road.
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