Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side are under pressure again after a pitiful display against Brighton on Saturday. They were devoid of ideas in the forward line again, but more worryingly, their defence looked far too open against a Seagulls side that were happy to take advantage.
The 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium on Saturday exposed some familiar failings of this Leeds side. However, it also demonstrated a few new problems, which could threaten their Premier League survival chances.
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Until the Brighton defeat, Leeds had mostly competed in most games, barring the Arsenal defeat, and looked solid in midfield and defence to mask their deficiencies in the forward line.
However, Leeds were far too open against Brighton, and they made it too easy for the home side to carve them open and scored three past Lucas Perri in an embarrassing defeat.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side looked defensively weak on Saturday
Brighton scored three past a hapless Leeds defence, but there is a decent argument that they could have scored even more and made it far more embarrassing for the Whites.
It was a pitiful performance that had no saving grace. The forward line offered nothing, the midfield was inert, and the defence was woeful at the Amex.
Leeds’ attacking problems are well-known, but it is the way the defence malfunctioned against Brighton that would concern Farke and the supporters.
Leeds faced SEVEN shots on-target in a single game for the first time since the final day 1-4 home defeat to Tottenham in May 2023.
Leeds faced an xG of 2.99, the highest in a single game since the 1-5 home defeat v Crystal Palace in April 2023 (3.15).
Dreadful set of numbers. pic.twitter.com/ThSlyAAXfy
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) November 1, 2025
The numbers in the game are not pretty to read. According to LUFCDATA, Leeds conceded seven shots on target in a single match for the first time since their 1-4 home loss to Tottenham on the final day of May 2023.
Leeds were exposed to an xG of 2.99, their highest in a single match since the 1-5 home loss to Crystal Palace in April 2023 (3.15).
Farke’s big decision next weekend against Nottingham Forest
Jaka Bijol has started the last two games after replacing Pascal Struijk in the starting eleven following a couple of costly errors from the Dutchman.
He looked solid in his Premier League debut against West Ham. However, he was woefully exposed in the defeat at Brighton, which was not a pretty watch.
Metric Icon Value
Minutes Played ⏱️ 90
Total Duels Won ⚔️ 1 / 3
Tackles Won 🦵 0
Interceptions 🛑 0
Clearances 🥅 3
Blocked Shots 🧱 0
Ball Recoveries 🔄 6
Accurate Passes 🎯 73 / 78 (94%)
Bijol looked far away from a Premier League defender as Brighton took advantage and put Leeds through the sword.
The Slovenian defender failed to win most of his individual battles and didn’t put in a single tackle in the entire 90 minutes at the Amex Stadium.
It was the kind of performance that could cost him his place in the team, and Farke now has an excuse to recall Struijk back into the starting eleven.
The Dutchman’s individual errors, which led to him being dropped, cost Leeds crucial points, but Bijol’s display against Brighton should set off serious alarm bells.
It will be a huge decision from Farke as a defeat against potential relegation rivals Nottingham Forest will lead to calls for his dismissal.
The call could literally define his future at Elland Road.
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