Brentford prepared for whatever Leeds 'throw at them', says Andrews

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews believes Brentford will be prepared for whatever Leeds United "throw at us" in their Premier League clash this Sunday.

The Bees are 14th in the English top-flight after 15 games, with Daniel Farke's side just four points behind them in 16th.

In their last two Premier League matches, Leeds have started in a 3-5-2 formation, avoiding defeat in both (W1 D1).

Brentford have played seven games in the competition against sides starting in that formation, failing to win any of their first five (D1 L4) but winning their last two in April and August 2024 against Sheffield United and Southampton, respectively.

Despite Leeds' recent tactical changes, Andrews insisted that Brentford will be focused more on themselves than their counterparts.

"They're a resilient team that have shown a lot of character in recent weeks, in particular, with the results and performances they've had," said Andrews of Leeds.

"They've alternated between the two systems that they've operated with [5-3-2 and 4-3-3]. We'll prepare for both of those systems and whatever they throw at us.

"But we're in a good place at home, so as per usual, we'll focus mainly on ourselves."

Leeds went close to causing an upset against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but they followed that performance with a win over Chelsea and a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Elland Road.

The Whites have benefitted from their formation change, bouncing back from four consecutive defeats in the Premier League prior to Farke's tactical tweak.

Speaking after their draw with Liverpool, Dominic Calvert-Lewin believes it is important that Leeds do not get carried away with their recent results.

"I know we've come away with a point, and I think, considering the circumstances, no doubt, to come back the way we did, we have proved to a lot of people what we are capable of," said the striker.

“I can feel the buzz, but it is important not to get carried away. It has been a big week, and we knew at the start it was going to be a tough test. We have come away with four points out of the three games.

"I think we have to be pleased with that, considering the opponents, and just use it. Use it. Everything is something to learn from. Everything is a lesson."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Igor Thiago

Igor Thiago has scored seven goals in his last five home Premier League appearances, scoring a penalty in each of his last three.

Only two players have scored a penalty in four home games in a row: Dion Dublin in 1997-98 for Coventry and James Beattie in 2002 for Southampton.

Leeds United – Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin has scored in three consecutive Premier League appearances for Leeds, only once having a longer scoring streak in the competition; he scored in his first five games in the 2020-21 season for Everton.

The only Englishmen to score four in a row in the competition for the Whites are Rod Wallace (five in November-December 1993) and Michael Bridges (two runs of four in 1999-00).

MATCH PREDICTION – BRENTFORD WIN

Leeds have won just one of their last 12 away league games against Brentford (D4 L7), beating them 2-1 on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign to preserve their Premier League status.

The Whites have also lost their last nine top-flight games in London, with their last victory coming at Brentford in May 2022. It is their second-longest losing run in the capital in the competition, after a 12-game streak between March 1925 and September 1930.

However, Brentford have lost their last two Premier League games, losing 2-0 to both Arsenal and Tottenham. The Bees have not lost three in a row since February 2024, while they have never gone three in a row without scoring in the competition.

Andrews' team-talk at the break could prove to have a big impact in this match as Leeds have conceded five goals in the five minutes after half-time in Premier League games this season, more than any other side.

It is only the third time they have conceded that many goals in that timeframe in a single season, also doing so in 2002-03 (five) and 2003-04 (six).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford – 59.5%

Draw – 21.2%

Leeds United – 19.3%