Leeds United-Brentford Preview

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch declared the trip to Brentford on Sunday as a must-win clash to have any hope of ensuring their Premier League safety on the final day.

The Whites head into the final matchday level on points with 17th-placed Burnley but in the relegation zone due to an inferior goal difference. Burnley host Newcastle United, while Leeds visit Brentford and Marsch acknowledged his side have to win to give them the best chance of survival.

"We're excited for this challenge – we know we have to be at our best. I never came here to think it would be easy. I knew we'd have to fight for everything," he said. "I'll make sure we'll do this on Sunday.

"It would have been a lot easier if we were locked into the league already, but the fact that we have to outpoint Burnley makes it very clear for us. A win gives us the best opportunity."

Brentford have won consecutive games and could end up in the top 10 with victory over Leeds, and head coach Thomas Frank insists his side will pull no punches.

"I know we will focus on trying to win it, as we have done any other game," Frank said. "We have a chance to go top ten so we will do that. We will come with everything.

"The players train very hard, and I can't see them taking their foot off the gas and not going max power on Sunday. There can be that little bit of freedom but when you cross that line you go into match mode and want to win."

Brentford – Yoane Wissa

No player has scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League for Brentford this season than Wissa (7). He's the fifth Congolese player to net as many as seven goals in a single Premier League campaign, with none of the previous four scoring more.

Leeds United – Raphinha

Speculation persists as to the future of Raphinha, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona. Leeds will hope their Brazil star can provide one final piece of magic, as he did against Brighton and Hove Albion when he created a game-high four chances.

- Leeds have lost just one of their last six league games against Brentford (W2 D3), with the reverse fixture in December this season ending in a 2-2 draw.

- Each of the last four teams in their debut Premier League campaign have lost their final game of the season (Cardiff, Bournemouth, Brighton and Huddersfield), with Swansea in 2011-12 the last such team to win.

- Leeds have lost their final league game in just one of their 13 Premier League campaigns (W5 D7), going down 1-0 at Chelsea in their relegation season of 2003-04.

- Brentford have won 13 league games this season – in a 20-team league, only Wigan in 2005-06 (15) and Reading in 2006-07 (16) have ever won more in their debut Premier League campaign than the Bees.

- Leeds have scored in the first half in just three of their last 15 Premier League games, with 11 of their last 14 league goals coming after half-time.

Updated May 20, 2022