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

Elland Road expects a response and a statement. Leeds United, buoyed by back-to-back wins over Nottingham Forest, go into Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brentford eyeing nothing less than three points and a performance to match the mood.

Daniel Farke is not hiding his intentions. He is set to stick with a 3-4-3 system, a shape that has given Leeds more control of games and sharper edges in transition. The message is clear: attack, but with structure.

Trafford Backed To Build From The Back

In goal, James Trafford keeps his place after his recent clean sheet. He has grown into the role, and Farke will want his distribution to set the tone as much as his shot-stopping.

Ahead of him, a back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemovic is expected to line up. It’s a unit built for solidity and aggression, with Rodon’s authority, Bijol’s physical presence and Muharemovic’s mobility giving Leeds a platform to hold a higher line and squeeze the pitch.

Nico Elvedi is likely to offer experienced cover from the bench, ready to slot in if Farke needs to tighten things up or manage minutes late on.

Engine Room Built To Dictate

In midfield, the responsibility falls on Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu to control the centre of the pitch. Both are tasked with more than just breaking up play. They will be expected to set the tempo, recycle possession quickly and feed the wide players early to stretch Brentford’s shape.

Out wide, Jayden Bogle on the right and James Justin on the left will be crucial. Their brief is simple but demanding: defend their channels, then explode forward. Overlapping runs, underlaps, and constant support for the wingers will be key as Leeds look to overload the flanks and pin Brentford’s wing-backs deep.

Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff will likely start on the bench, but both offer a different rhythm if the game demands it. Tanaka’s energy and Longstaff’s timing from deep could become important options if Leeds need fresh legs or a different angle of attack in the second half.

Aaronson, Wilson And Calvert-Lewin Lead The Charge

In the front three, Brenden Aaronson is expected to start from the left. His work rate and movement between the lines can unsettle Brentford’s back line, especially if he drifts inside to combine with Stach and Ampadu.

On the opposite flank, Harry Wilson will look to make his mark as the right-sided forward. His left foot and delivery from wide areas could be vital for the man through the middle.

That man is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The centre-forward is set to spearhead the Leeds attack, tasked with bullying centre-backs, attacking crosses and turning half-chances into goals. With Bogle and Justin bombing on and Wilson swinging balls into the box, Calvert-Lewin will have no shortage of service. He has to turn that into trouble for Brentford.

Noah Okafor and Daniel James are expected to wait for their chance from the bench, both capable of injecting pace and direct running if Leeds need a late surge. Their presence gives Farke the option to stretch a tiring defence or flip the shape without losing intensity.

One notable absentee is Wilfried Gnonto, ruled out with a thigh injury. His explosiveness and one-v-one threat will be missed, but it also sharpens the focus on those selected to carry the attacking burden.

Leeds have momentum, a clear structure and a home crowd that smells opportunity. Now it’s down to this XI to turn promise into another statement result at Elland Road.