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

Elland Road expects noise, energy and, crucially, a third straight win. Leeds United host Brentford on Sunday with momentum finally building, and Daniel Farke looks ready to lean into it rather than retreat.

Back-to-back victories over Nottingham Forest have sharpened belief. Now comes the test of whether this Leeds side can turn a mini-run into something more substantial against a seasoned Premier League outfit.

Farke is set to stick with a positive 3-4-3 shape and a strong XI. The message is clear: no hiding at home.

Defence: Trafford Keeps His Place, Back Three Set

James Trafford has earned another start in goal after his clean sheet last time out. The young keeper will again be asked to play with authority, not just survive.

In front of him, Farke is expected to trust a back three of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemovic. It’s a unit built for structure and aggression, charged with holding a solid line while still being brave enough to squeeze the pitch against a Brentford side that thrives on space and chaos.

Nico Elvedi offers experienced cover from the bench, a useful safety net if Farke needs to tighten things up or shuffle personnel late on.

Midfield: Ampadu and Stach to Control the Middle

The engine room looks settled. Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach are poised to anchor the midfield, tasked with dictating the tempo and keeping Leeds on the front foot rather than chasing shadows.

Both will need to do a bit of everything: break up play, recycle possession quickly, and release the wide players early. If they win that central battle, Leeds can pin Brentford back.

Out wide, Jayden Bogle on the right and James Justin on the left are set to provide the width. They won’t just sit in; they’ll be expected to surge forward, overlap, and stretch Brentford’s back line whenever Leeds build attacks. Their energy will be vital in turning a 3-4-3 on paper into something far more aggressive in practice.

Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff are likely to start on the bench, waiting for their chance to change the rhythm of the game if Farke needs fresh legs or a different passing profile in the second half.

Attack: Calvert-Lewin Leads a Busy Front Three

Up top, Leeds will look direct and dangerous.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to spearhead the attack, leading the line for the West Yorkshire club. His job is simple in theory, brutal in reality: occupy defenders, win duels, and turn half-chances into real panic inside the Brentford box.

Either side of him, Brenden Aaronson is expected to start from the left, with Harry Wilson on the right. Aaronson will look to knit play together, drifting into pockets and linking with midfield, while Wilson will aim to hurt Brentford with his delivery and movement cutting in from the flank.

From the bench, Noah Okafor and Daniel James give Farke pace and penetration if the game opens up late or Leeds are chasing a goal in the final quarter. Both can flip the feel of a match in a single run.

One notable absentee: Wilfried Gnonto misses out with a thigh injury, removing one of Leeds’ most direct threats from the equation.

Predicted Leeds United XI vs Brentford (3-4-3)

• Goalkeeper: James Trafford
• Defence:
• • Joe Rodon
  • Jaka Bijol
  • Tarik Muharemovic
• Midfield:
• • Jayden Bogle
  • Anton Stach
  • Ethan Ampadu
  • James Justin
• Attack:
• • Harry Wilson
  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin
  • Brenden Aaronson

Elland Road has seen enough false dawns. With this line-up and this shape, Farke isn’t setting out to survive Brentford. He’s daring his side to impose themselves and prove that those wins over Forest were the start of something, not the peak.