Leeds United vs Brentford: Farke's Bold 3-4-3 Formation

Leeds United head into Sunday’s clash with Brentford at Elland Road with the wind finally at their backs. Back-to-back wins over Nottingham Forest have steadied the mood and sharpened belief. Now comes the next test: turning a mini-run into a statement.

Daniel Farke is not hiding. He is doubling down.

The Leeds boss is expected to stick with an aggressive 3-4-3 shape and a full-strength side, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin again trusted to carry the fight up front.

Trafford and a Rebuilt Back Line

James Trafford keeps his place in goal after his clean sheet last time out. Confidence matters for a young goalkeeper, and that shut-out has earned him another start between the posts.

In front of him, Farke is set to go with a back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemovic. It’s a unit built for structure as much as bite, tasked with holding a solid line while Leeds push bodies forward. They will need to read the game well; any lapses against Brentford’s direct threat could be punished.

Nico Elvedi offers experienced cover on the bench, ready to step in if the rhythm of the game demands a reshuffle.

Engine Room and Width

At the heart of the side, Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu are expected to anchor the midfield. Their job is clear and demanding: control the tempo, break up Brentford counters and still find the quality to feed the front three. If Leeds are to dominate the ball, it starts with them.

Out wide, Jayden Bogle on the right and James Justin on the left will be asked to run relentlessly. Both wing-backs are likely to be key outlets, pushing high to stretch Brentford and providing the overlaps that turn possession into real pressure. Their delivery from the flanks could decide how often Calvert-Lewin sees the ball in dangerous areas.

Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff wait in reserve, options to change the tone of the midfield in the second half if Leeds need fresh legs or a different passing profile.

Aaronson, Wilson and Calvert-Lewin Lead the Charge

Up front, Brenden Aaronson is expected to start from the left, drifting inside to knit play and press aggressively from the front. On the opposite side, Harry Wilson will look to make his mark cutting in from the right, testing Brentford with his movement and delivery.

Through the middle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line for the West Yorkshire club. His brief is simple but brutal: occupy defenders, win duels, and turn half-chances into goals. If Leeds are to make their recent form count, he has to unsettle Brentford’s back line and give Elland Road something to roar about.

From the bench, Noah Okafor and Daniel James offer pace and direct running, the kind of late-game threat that can flip a tight contest in the final quarter if Leeds are chasing a breakthrough or protecting a narrow lead.

One notable absentee is Wilfried Gnonto, ruled out with a thigh injury. His spark will be missed, but the shape of Farke’s selection makes the message clear: Leeds intend to attack this game, not just manage it.

With confidence rising and a bold system in place, Elland Road expects. Now it’s down to this XI to show whether those Forest wins were a turning point or just a brief pause in a harder season.