Leeds United have been very solid defensively of late in the Premier League, with only three goals given up across their last four top-flight outings, even as they faced the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City.
They really were tested last time out as well, as the West Yorkshire titans had to play the entire second half, away at Crystal Palace, reduced to ten men.
James-Justin
Thankfully, Daniel Farke and Co stood firm to collect a well-deserved clean sheet, as the hosts could only muster up a meagre 0.62 xG, trying to break down the dogged away side.
Leeds will have to make do without Gabriel Gudmundsson, though, for their next league showdown versus Brentford, as the Swede - who has been a regular under Farke this season - was dubiously given his marching orders at Selhurst Park.
Why Gudmundsson has become so important at Leeds
Gudmundsson will be extremely frustrated with how his individual display played out in South London, as he was unfortunate to be sent off.
Farke will have to make do without his dependable left-back for the match against Keith Andrews' Bees, with the decision to bring in the Scandinavian from Lille for £10m in the summer to replace Junior Firpo going down as a masterstroke, away from this contentious moment against the Eagles.
gabriel-gudmundsson-leeds
Indeed, while Firpo was a creative force to be reckoned with in the Championship last season, collecting a sublime 14 goal contributions, he had previously struggled in the Premier League to keep up with the high intensity required to battle away.
This is where Gudmundsson shines, in contrast, winning a mightily impressive 5.6 duels per game so far this season in league action, allowing Leeds to be so steely and secure in tense games.
To add context, Firpo only won 4.1 duels per match during Leeds' 2022/23 campaign, which ended in relegation. Even Rodon - who is well-known for being a defensive warrior - has only averaged 4.3 so far this season, with the staunch Swede's absence against Brentford going down as a stinging blow.
His consistency since entering the ranks has resulted in his transfer valuation skyrocketing to the £17m mark, as per Transfermarkt.
gabriel-gudmundsson-leeds-premier-league
Amazingly, though, there is a former Leeds player who is arguably even better than the much-loved 26-year-old.
£26m star is better than Gudmundsson after leaving Leeds
Looking back on Leeds' title-winning heroics last season, you would be forgiven for forgetting that Djed Spence was a brief part of the promotion mission.
Indeed, Spence would only feature seven times for Farke's promotion challengers before his loan move in West Yorkshire was abruptly cut short, with attitude problems cited as the reason for the 25-year-old not sticking around.
Tottenham star Djed Spence
The surprising developments don't stop here, as the London-born full-back then became a first-team regular back at Spurs following a move that could reach £20m, with numbers that very much rival Gudmundsson's in West Yorkshire.
Making 4.4 ball recoveries per top-flight clash last campaign, with his suspended counterpart coming in at a lesser 3.5 this season, the reinvigorated number 24 would even go on to be capped by England, as he was further branded an "incredible" talent by ex-Spurs defender Alan Hutton.
Shining bright this season, too, during Spurs' grave difficulties under both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, Farke would surely love to have the versatile defender back in his ranks, with the Europa League winner arguably a perfect stand-in for the red-carded Gudmundsson.
Instead, he will just be left with the feeling of what if, as he was discarded prematurely, with Spence's standout performances - during times of great unrest in North London - resulting in him reportedly eyed by European giants Juventus.
Gudmundsson vs Spence's (25/26 PL)
Stat
Games played
Goals
Assists
Big chances created
Ball recoveries per 90
Clean sheets
Gudmundsson is clearly idolised among supporters in West Yorkshire, but he's yet to hit Spence's levels, with the Englishman regularly competing on stages such as the illustrious Champions League.
Farke will want it to stay that way, so the ex-Lille man's strengths don't become too widely known that he's poached away from Elland Road.
Leeds United players during a minutes silence in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before the match Related
[Ex-Man United chief "told" Leeds are now looking to replace star amid Elland Road "concerns"](https://www.footballfancast.com/leeds-united-transfers-man-united-dominic-calvert-lewin-update/ "Ex-Man United chief "told" Leeds are now looking to replace star amid Elland Road "concerns"")
He's been in solid form.