Leeds United take on Brentford at Elland Road on Saturday night looking for a much-needed win to move clear of the relegation zone.
Daniel Farke has eight games to keep Leeds where we are in the Premier League, outside the relegation zone with a current three-point gap.
With four home games remaining, United will continue prioritising going for wins in West Yorkshire. But, Brentford pose a significant threat.
Leeds United team news confirmed pre-Brentford: Noah Okafor fit, Gabriel Gudmundsson banned
Regarding team news, there was already a confirmed absentee for Saturday as a result of what unfolded on Sunday at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s baffling two bookings and eventual red card from Thomas Bramall leaves him suspended for this weekend.
There was positive news, though. Wide man Noah Okafor has been confirmed as fit and available by Farke after his recent absence.
Okafor hasn’t featured for Leeds since assisting Lukas Nmecha in the FA Cup win over Birmingham City. The Swiss speedster tweaked his hamstring in the second half, and has missed the following five games in all competitions.
Daniel Farke forced into Leeds United starting XI overhaul with Noah Okafor boost and Gabriel Gudmundsson blow
There’s not a whole lot wrong with how Farke set our side up away to Crystal Palace, given the circumstances of Okafor’s absence.
However, he’s forced into two changes here against Brentford, in my opinion.
The first being enforced with James Justin sure to replace Gudmundsson as the left-wing-back. The second being getting Okafor back into the starting lineup.
Farke did note that he’s not expecting Okafor to be fit enough to complete 90 minutes on Saturday. That’s a feat that the 25-year-old has only managed once in the Premier League this season, but his involvement is more or less certain, based on Farke’s comments.
We’ve had a real lack of bite we’ve seen in our last four league games without Okafor. I think it’s paramount that he starts out on the left. No Gudmundsson means we’re missing a key outlet on the left to drag us up the field. Importantly, Okafor can shoulder that burden.
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