By Marco Hopcutt
Leeds face another injury dilemma as they will be without left back Barry Douglas for this weekend’s clash with Brentford at Elland Road.
Strikers Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe are already unavailable as well as Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi. The Whites can now add summer signing Douglas to that list after the full back picked up a hamstring injury in United’s 1-0 away win at Hull in midweek.
With Berardi and Douglas ruled out it’s looking like Marcelo Bielsa will give natural left midfielder and former Brentford man Stuart Dallas the nod at left back this weekend over England youngster Tom Pearce.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa praised the Northern Ireland international saying: “Dallas knows how to play deep, he makes very good crosses with both legs. He’s very skilled at starting from a point below the ball and cross the line of it.”
Brentford who sit five places below Leeds in the table in 6th come to Elland Road in good form under current manager Dean Smith.
Smith has Brentford playing an equally attractive style of football as counterparts Leeds.
However the recent sacking of Steve Bruce at Aston Villa means this could potentially be Smith’s last game as The Bees’ boss. Some bookmakers have Smith as third favourite at 9/1 to replace Bruce at Villa Park.
Brentford have the boost of the return of former Leeds transfer target Ollie Watkins who is available after missing the Bees last game at home to Birmingham with a toe injury.
Watkins joined Brentford despite interest from Leeds in the summer of 2017 after an outstanding breakthrough season with Exeter City, where he came through the academy from age 11.
Brentford will be hoping he will leave United full of regret for not securing his signature when the face the Whites this weekend.
Expected Line-up