Leeds United are at the top of the Championship table after three games, winning twice and drawing one game, and will hope to extend their lead at the top when they face off against Brentford on Wednesday.
Their opponents for Wednesday are 12th in the table with one win, one draw, and one loss so far.
Brentford took four points from their two games against Leeds in the Championship last season, winning 2-0 at home and drawing 1-1 at Elland Road.
Let’s take a look at 3 key battles in the fixture between Leeds United and Brentford.
Leeds United vs Brentford – 3 Key Battles
Patrick Bamford vs Pontus Jansson
Brentford central defender Pontus Jansson returns to Elland Road just a month after he moved from the Whites. Jansson was one of Leeds’ best players last year, but some difference of opinion with manager Marcelo Bielsa resulted in his exit from the club.
The Swede, who is regarded as one of the best central defenders in the Championship, will face off against an in-form striker in Patrick Bamford, who has already scored 3 goals in the first 3 games of the Championship season.
Jansson has managed 3.3 interceptions per game for Brentford, and he does read the game well.
The battle will be a physical one and could very well determine the outcome of the match.
Ollie Watkins vs Liam Cooper
Over on the other end of the pitch, Leeds United captain Liam Cooper will have to contend with and keep quiet Brentford’s main striker Ollie Watkins, who has already got on the scoresheet twice this season.
The 23-year-old striker, who scored 12 goals last season in the Championship, is a quick and skillful player, who can be a nuisance for most defenders.
Cooper and his central defensive partner Ben White, have been strong at the back so far this season, and don’t seem to be missing Jansson in their line-up, yet.
Pablo Hernandez vs Rico Henry
34-year-old Pablo Hernandez is showing no signs of slowing down as he has been amongst the goals and assists already this season and is one of the most important players for manager Marcelo Bielsa.
The experienced Spanish winger has registered two goals and an assist so far, and has been very good for Leeds in all three games of the Championship season.
He could be up against young Rico Henry, who plays at left wing-back for Brentford, and is a quick player who can dribble as well.
Hernandez could be a threat in between (the half space) the centre-back and wing-back in Brentford’s three-man defensive line-up, while Henry could cause trouble to Leeds while attacking.
