Faltering Leeds could turn the corner at Brentford

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football, 5.30pm Saturday

Brentford have improved greatly since their slow start to the Sky Bet Championship season but the markets may have overreacted to their recent results and performances by making them odds-on to defeat Leeds at Griffin Park.

Leeds topped the standings for two weeks in September but things have started to unravel with five defeats in the last six games.

They have come up against some strong teams - four of their last six league opponents are in the top six - and they are facing another tricky match against Brentford, who are unbeaten in eight league games and eyeing up a push towards the playoffs.

However, Brentford are four points worse off than Leeds and have had less time to prepare for this game after winning 2-0 at Birmingham on Wednesday.

Leeds were in action on Tuesday, losing 2-1 at home to Derby, but their performance was an improvement on what they produced in a 2-1 loss to Sheffield United four days earlier.

A controversial penalty award settled the match in Derby's favour but Leeds competed well against progressive opponents and may have better luck if playing to a similar level in London.

They were under pressure going into their last road game at Bristol City but produced a superb performance and ran out 3-0 winners.

Thomas Christiansen's options are boosted with left-back Gaetano Berardi available after suspension and centre-back Liam Cooper hopeful of recovering from a dead leg.

If Leeds can field something close to their first-choice defence that may hold to key to adding to their seasonal tally of four away league wins.

Brentford are a decent passing side who have grown in confidence after recent results.

But the Bees have registered just one home league victory this season, defeating Millwall 1-0, and their chances of beating Leeds may have been overstated.

Recommendation
Leeds or draw double chance
1pt 10-11 general

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Brentford
Henrik Dalsgaard (heel) and Nico Yennaris (concussion) are doubts but Lewis MacLeod (knee) was on the bench at Birmingham and is almost fully recovered from a long-term injury.

Leeds
Gaetano Berardi is available after a three-game ban and Liam Cooper (dead leg) may be ready to return but Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (ankle) is set to miss out.

Key stat
Brentford have won one of their eight home matches this season.

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