The stats from the season to date show Leeds United’s chances of securing a second consecutive win in the Premier League against Brighton could rest entirely on the fitness of Noah Okafor.
Daniel Farke and his Leeds side travel to Brighton looking to build momentum in their Premier League campaign after their morale-boosting win over West Ham.
Brenden Aaronson opened the scoring for Leeds in their 2-1 win at Elland Road, reacting fastest to poke home after winger Noah Okafor had seen his header saved.
Okafor is rapidly becoming an integral part of the Leeds line-up, with the stats showing that he has completed more successful dribbles than Bukayo Saka this season, despite missing time through injury.
The Swiss international was substituted at half-time of the win over West Ham, a potential concern for Farke. The numbers from Brighton’s season to date show that he could be the difference for Leeds as they look to claim a first win at Brighton for 16 years.
Leeds United forward Noah Okafor
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Stats show Noah Okafor will be crucial against Brighton
Brighton look set to be without the experienced James Milner for the visit of Leeds as they look to continue their solid if unspectacular start to the Premier League season.
However, Brighton have looked more porous at the back this season, having conceded 15 goals from nine games, at a rate of 1.67 goals per game, up from the rate of 1.55 goals against per game last season.
This is where Okafor comes in. According to the data from FBRef, Brighton are particularly vulnerable to take-ons, and rank among the worst in the Premier League across several metrics when defending players running at their defence.
Brighton in the 25/26 PL season Total Premier League Rank
Goals Conceded 15 16th
Take-Ons against 208 20th
Successful Take-Ons against 86 20th
Tackle success from Take-Ons 43.8% 16th
Shots conceded from Take-Ons 14 =19th
Goals conceded from Take-Ons 2 =18th
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Brighton have had the most take-ons attempted against them, with 208, and the most successful take-ons against them, with 86. They also have the fourth-worst success rate when it comes to completing a tackle from a take-on at just 43.8%.
Leeds can take heart from the fact that this has translated to goals against Brighton. The Seagulls have conceded the third-most shots from take-ons in the division, with 14, translating to the joint-second most goals against from take-ons, with two.
Okafor has shown that he can be a threat when taking on defenders already this season. His two goals should worry Brighton, as Leeds look to claim precious points away from home.
Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Leeds United can exploit Brighton’s defence
Although Leeds have struggled to score at times this season, chance creation has not been an issue, with FotMob showing that Farke’s side has created the eighth-most big chances in the division this season.
They will come up against a Brighton side with a growing injury list, who have struggled defensively under Fabian Hurzeler in recent months.
According to an article from the Leeds website, Brighton have only kept one clean sheet in their last 21 matches, having also conceded in every home game so far this season.
If Leeds can get back to their best defensively and get Okafor fit to make the trip south, they could pick up a surprise win on the road.