Preview: Leeds United vs Brentford

For the first time since May, Elland Road will play host to a Premier League fixture as Leeds United begin their home campaign against Brentford on Sunday.

Daniel Farke’s side made a winning return to top-flight action in last weekend’s curtain raiser with a late victory over Nottingham Forest!

Deadlocked heading into the closing stages, up stepped Anton Stach to curl a sublime free kick around the wall and into the back of the net, beyond the despairing dive of Matz Sels to send the away end wild.

Then, coincidentally, the Whites returned to the City Ground just three days later, this time on EFL Cup duties. The Whites were once more impressive in the East Midlands and took the lead after the break through Daniel James’ deft finish.

A combination of Lukas Nmecha and James Justin scrambled in a second before the end to set up a Round Three tie away at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

Across the Forest double header, all four of United’s new signings from the summer made their debuts. England international goalkeeper James Trafford, Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemović and Wales forward started the Premier League curtain raiser, with Nico Elvedi then impressing during the midweek action.

Brentford go into Sunday’s meeting having also got off the mark in both the league and cup. Keith Andrews’ team recorded an emphatic opening day 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur with Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode on target at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Bees followed that win up with a 6-1 dismantling of Sky Bet Championship outfit Birmingham City on Tuesday evening. In that one, last campaign’s top scorer Igor Thiago – who was runner up to Erling Haaland in the Premier League Golden Boot race – got off the mark for the new term.

In the two meetings between the clubs in the previous term, the spoils were shared on both occasions. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header secured a 1-1 draw in the capital before neither team were able to break the deadlock in West Yorkshire.

Action from Elland Road gets underway at 2pm.

Into Round Three we go:

The view from inside the camp:

Speaking exclusively in this weekend’s matchday programme, Jaka Bijol said: “They have had two really good results already. I think it is always really hard to play against Brentford.

“But we will be ready, we will prepare for them and I think we can be confident in ourselves as well. It is going to be a game with a lot of intensity.

“It is going to be amazing again, for sure, in front of Elland Road. It gives us an extra energy that we will need as well on Sunday. I am really buzzing about that and looking forward to the game.”

Team News:

Speaking in his press conference, the boss explained Ilia Gruev has returned to team training and is in contention to feature. Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson have also got back on the training pitch but the match may come slightly too soon for the duo.

Stadium redevelopment updates:

Due to the redevelopment of the West Stand at Elland Road, there will be a significant change to the way West Stand ticket holders will access the stadium on matchdays throughout the 2026/27 season.

The main West Stand Gate on Elland Road (next to Howard’s) will now be the main access point for away fans only. This will also be the only access point for home supporters with tickets in areas C15, C16 & C17 when an away team fails to sell their full allocation and supporters with designated accessible tickets in the South Stand Lower area FA6. No other supporters will be able to access the West Stand via this route.

All general admission West Stand ticket holders (with the exception of the above) will enter through Entrances 4, 5, and 6. You can access these areas via Gate 4 from Lowfields Road (North East Corner), Gate 2 on Bobby Collins Way (behind the North Stand), or Gate 1 from Bobby Collins Way (North West Corner). Find out more here.

Changes to shuttle bus service:

Fans are advised that the usual shuttle bus service from Sovereign Street will be moving to Meadow Lane. This change will occur for this match only and is due to the weekend’s Leeds Festival, which will be using the coach space on Sovereign Street usually reserved for the matchday service.

Together with Leeds City Council, we have arranged for signage to be placed on lamp posts directing people to the new location over the river on Meadow Lane. Find out more here.

Supporter information:

Discriminatory language or chanting, including homophobic chanting, is not acceptable, and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.

To report an incident, text LEEDS along with any relevant information including ticket details, your name and description of an incident to 60006. You will then receive an automated response which means that your report has been logged and will then be looked into.

Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects. A list of prohibited items can be found HERE.

How to follow:

Monthly audio subscribers around the world can listen to every minute of Sunday’s fixture LIVE on LUTV. Bryn Law will be joined by Tony Dorigo on commentary. Pre-match build up begins at 1:30pm with Simon Grayson and Stuart Dallas in the studio!

What has the boss said:

The latest FPL advice from Fantasy Football Scout:

Germany international Stach has the eyes of the FPL community on him after his Gameweek 1 performance. The midfielder had a team-leading three attempts on goal, the same as Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m), as well as having additional set piece responsibilities from corners.

If his game winning goal wasn’t appealing enough, he also registered 16 defensive contributions resulting in two additional points. Stach was only beaten for defensive contributions on the day by Ethan Ampadu (£5.5m) who registered an incredible 21 of them. Stach also had more touches in the opponent’s half and final third than any other Leeds player across this fixture. For more hints and tips, click here.

2025/26 League Position:

2025/26 Top Scorer:

Officials: