Leeds United's goal drought has arrived at the worst time possible, as the Whites are within touching distance of the relegation zone, after seeing their lead over the bottom three disappear in recent weeks.
Before the round, the hosts are only three points in front of West Ham, which means defeat here will have alarm bells ringing at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke's men must brace themselves for the visit of European-chasing Brentford, who enter this fixture on the back of a Monday night draw with relegation candidates, Wolves.
The Bees are only three points adrift of the top six, but it appears their lofty ambitions have started to take their toll, as they managed just one win across their last five outings.
Both clubs need maximum points when they clash in the Premier League on Saturday, March 21.
Explore our Leeds vs Brentford betting tips below, and don't forget to check out more of our betting tips today!
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Leeds vs Brentford key stats
- Leeds have failed to score in their last three consecutive matches, and two at home.
- The hosts have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last four home league fixtures.
- Brentford are unbeaten across their previous four away league matches in a row.
- Only one of Leeds' last six home games saw both teams score.
Leeds vs Brentford preview: Bees likely to walk away happier
| Leeds | vs | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | Position | 7th |
| 32 | Points | 45 |
| 37 | Goals For | 46 |
| 48 | Goals Against | 42 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 13th | Home Rank | 6th |
| 18th | Away Rank | 10th |
With only eight games left to play, the hosts will soon be reaching desperation for points, but a victory at home on Saturday night will help their cause in keeping them away from the dreaded drop zone.
Leeds are now winless in their last five Premier League matches, with their two most recent defeats in that run arriving on home soil, which means they are not in a great patch.
Brentford have drawn a league-low seven games at halftime this season.
The Whites halted their poor run with victory in the FA Cup against Norwich, but the home faithful will know that a cup run would not mean much if they had to play their football in the Championship next season.
Surprisingly, the home side have enjoyed better results away from home lately, as they are unbeaten in their last four such matches, but Farke's mission is to replicate that type of form at Elland Road.
Having lost just one of the last 16 head-to-heads, Leeds should be confident of snatching a result to maintain a safe distance from the relegation zone.
After playing the majority of last weekend's goalless draw against Crystal Palace with 10 men, the hosts will be without Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored three times in four persona head-to-heads against Brentford.
While Brentford are in the hunt for a European spot, their recent form has said otherwise, as the Bees have only managed one triumph across their previous five league outings.
The good news for Keith Andrews is that his side have beaten newly-promoted teams on 11 out of the last 13 occasions, and Brentford won five of their last seven away dates in the Premier League.
However, the Bees have not been at their best against Leeds, winning just one of their last 16 meetings, losing seven times, and sharing the spoils on eight occasions.
Their most recent meeting, in the reverse fixture, ended in a 1-1 draw, making it the third stalemate in five head-to-heads.
The visitors are sweating over the fitness of Mikkel Damsgaard, who picked up a knock in Monday's draw with Wolves.
Leeds vs Brentford form guide & betting tips
| Leeds | vs | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| D-D-L-L-D | League Form | D-L-W-D-D |
| 3 | Points | 6 |
| 18th | Form Table | 11th |
| 3 | Goals For | 8 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 8 |
| D-L-L-W-D | Form (all comps) | L-W-D-L-D |
Whisper predicts: Leeds 0-0 Brentford
With both teams winning just one of their last five, it will be difficult for either to get over the line here, which is why a draw at 3.50 is a value bet.
However, the visitors enjoy a decent record on the road this season, so it would make sense to opt for a Double Chance - Draw/ Brentford at 1.53, which offers less value, but it allows you to back two of the more likely outcomes.
Farke's men are struggling to find the back of the net, which makes backing the BTTS - No market at 2.10 worthwhile.
Igor Thiago just netted his 19th league goal of the season against Wolves, a great way to celebrate his call-up to the Brazil national team, and he could become the third Brentford player to hit 20 when they make the trip to Elland Road, so backing Thiago as an anytime goalscorer at 2.50 is also worth considering.
> 1x2 - Draw at 3.50 | Likelihood: Possible
> Double chance - Draw/ Brentford at 1.53 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - No at 2.10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Anytime goalscorer - Igor Thiago at 2.50 | Likelihood: Possible