Leeds United vs Brentford: Farke's Bold 3-4-3 Formation
Elland Road expects. Leeds United roll into Sunday’s clash with Brentford on the back of consecutive wins over Nottingham Forest, and Daniel Farke has no intention of easing off.
Momentum is finally building. Now he wants to turn it into a statement.
Farke Sticks With Aggression
Farke is set to keep faith with a 3-4-3 system, leaning into Leeds’ energy and pressing rather than retreating into caution. The plan is clear: dominate the ball, squeeze Brentford high, and let the front three drag defenders into uncomfortable places.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will again carry the responsibility at the tip of the attack. The brief is simple but brutal – occupy centre-backs, win duels, and turn half-chances into goals.
Trafford Behind a Settled Back Three
In goal, James Trafford is poised to continue after his clean sheet in his last outing. That shut-out has strengthened his grip on the No. 1 spot and given the defence a platform to trust.
In front of him, Farke is likely to go with a back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemovic. It’s a unit built for structure rather than swagger, tasked with holding a strong line and resisting Brentford’s direct, physical approach.
Nico Elvedi offers experienced cover from the bench, ready to slot in if the game demands fresh legs or a tactical tweak.
Engine Room Built to Control
The heartbeat of this Leeds side sits in the middle. Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu are expected to anchor the midfield, charged with dictating the tempo and snapping into challenges before Brentford can build attacks.
On the flanks, Jayden Bogle on the right and James Justin on the left will provide the width. Both wing-backs will be urged to surge forward, overlap the wide forwards and stretch Brentford’s back line, but they’ll also need the discipline to recover quickly when the visitors break.
Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff wait in reserve, options to change the rhythm or add fresh energy in the second half if Leeds need to wrestle back control or protect a lead.
Front Three Aimed at Hurting Brentford
Higher up, Brenden Aaronson is set to start off the left, looking to drift inside, link play and press aggressively from the front. On the opposite side, Harry Wilson will look to cut in from the right and test Brentford with his delivery and shooting.
Through the middle, Calvert-Lewin leads the line for the West Yorkshire club. His battle with the Brentford defence could define the afternoon; if he pins them back and wins his duels, Leeds’ runners will have room to exploit.
From the bench, Noah Okafor and Daniel James offer pace and direct threat late on, ideal weapons if Leeds are chasing a goal or hunting a killer third in the final quarter of the game.
One notable absentee: Wilfried Gnonto remains sidelined with a thigh injury, denying Farke another explosive option in the final third.
Predicted Leeds United XI vs Brentford (3-4-3)
James Trafford; Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Tarik Muharemovic; Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, James Justin; Harry Wilson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson.
Elland Road has waited for a Leeds side that looks this sure of itself. Now comes the real test: can Farke’s men turn a promising run into a genuine surge up the Premier League table?
