MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 17:56:58| >> :120:20977:20977:
[monks data]
Brentford logo
Championship
Sep 27, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Leeds logo

2-0

Jota (45'), McCormack (77')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Brentford vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship encounter between Brentford and in-form Leeds at Griffin Park.

Another new era will get underway for Leeds United this Saturday when they take on Brentford in Darko Milanic's first match in charge of the club.

The former Sturm Graz boss was appointed earlier this week as Massimo Cellino finally settled on a permanent replacement for previous manager Dave Hockaday.

In truth, the answer may have been closer to home, with Neil Redfearn having guided the club to a four-match unbeaten streak during his caretaker tenure.

That run included three victories, including a morale-boosting 3-0 win over local rivals Huddersfield Town last time out.

It is already their longest unbeaten streak in 2014, and Milanic will be keen to pick up where Redfearn left off and begin his time at the helm with three points that could lift his side into the playoff places.

Leeds fans will be cautious considering the short-lived debacle they suffered under Hockaday and the longer-lasting turmoil the club has been subjected to in recent times, but there is increasing cause for optimism around Elland Road.

Such has been the club's form in recent weeks that Milanic is unlikely to make too many changes to his side, although Gaetano Berardi will be one as he serves a suspension following his red card last weekend.

Sam Byram is likely to come in for the right-back, but Brazilian Adryan could once again be forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Brentford, meanwhile, will need to pick themselves up from back-to-back defeats that have seen them concede seven goals and score none.

A 4-0 loss at the hands of Middlesbrough last time out saw them drop into the bottom half of the table, but the Bees will still be happy with how their opening eight matches in the Championship have gone.

Only high-flying Norwich City have beaten Mark Warburton's side at Griffin Park in the league this season, and the newly-promoted outfit will be looking to make their home ground a fortress in their battle to stay up.

Warburton made just one change to his team last weekend, but more could follow this time around given the nature of the defeat that followed.

Recent form

Brentford: LLWWLD

Leeds: WWDWLL

Possible starting lineups

Brentford: Button; McCormack, Tarkowski, Dean, Bidwell; Odubajo, Pritchard, Douglas, Judge, Betinho; Proschwitz

Leeds: Silvestri; Byram, Bellusci, Pearce, Warnock; Austin, Cook, Sloth, Bianchi; Doukara, Antenucci

Sports Mole says: 0-0


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Barney Corkhill
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Maribor's head coach Darko Milanic looks on prior to the start of the UEFA Europa League football match NK Maribor vs. S.S. Lazio in Maribor, on December 6, 2012
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