Leeds United
Leeds United players. Credit: Imago
Leeds United welcome Brentford to Elland Road on Saturday for a huge Premier League clash that could have a major say at both ends of the table.
Brentford are within touching distance of the Champions League places, and a win in West Yorkshire would strengthen their push for a top-five finish as the season heads into its final stretch.
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Leeds, on the other hand, have picked up just one point from their last three games and remain only three points clear of the relegation zone with eight matches left.
A strong result at home this weekend would ease the pressure and give them some much-needed breathing space above the bottom three.
Chris Sutton makes huge prediction for Leeds United vs Brentford
Leeds United have already been told that the Brentford clash at home is a must-win game for them if they do not want to feel the heat in the run-in.
They lost their last two games at home, but Leeds hope that they rediscover their touch at Elland Road on Saturday to boost their survival hopes.
Sutton feels Brentford are the perfect team for Leeds to face at this stage of the season, as they will have a chance to hit them on the counter on Saturday.
He believes Leeds will get the job done at home this weekend and pick up three valuable points against the Bees.
Sutton said on BBC Sport, “The way Brentford will set up is almost tailor-made to face Leeds, really, to hit them on the counter-attack.
“Keith Andrews’s side are pushing for Europe, and they will be annoyed they let a 2-0 lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Wolves on Monday.
“There could be some nervy moments for the home fans when the Bees break forward, but I am still going to back Leeds to get the job done at Elland Road.
“Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.”
The Whites know the importance of beating Brentford
Most pundits have tipped Leeds to stay up, largely because of their home form, with Michael Owen one of the few to disagree.
However, consecutive defeats at Elland Road have increased the pressure ahead of the Brentford game, leaving Leeds in need of a strong response in front of their own fans.
Premier League Bottom Six – Relegation Battle
The latest Premier League standings show the teams fighting to avoid relegation
Pos Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts
15 Leeds United 30 7 11 12 37 48 -11 32
16 Tottenham Hotspur 30 7 9 14 40 47 -7 30
17 Nottingham Forest 30 7 8 15 28 43 -15 29
18 West Ham United 30 7 8 15 36 55 -19 29
19 Burnley 30 4 8 18 32 58 -26 20
20 Wolverhampton Wanderers 31 3 8 20 24 54 -30 17
Keith Andrews, meanwhile, was frustrated to see Brentford throw away a win against Wolves on Monday night and will be expecting a reaction from his side this weekend.
Daniel Farke also has a few issues to manage, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dip in form and Gabriel Gudmundsson’s suspension going into Saturday’s clash.
A victory would lift the mood around Elland Road, but anything less could see Leeds dragged closer to the bottom three.