Leeds United face a real’ six pointer’ in their next Premier League clash at Sunday’s hosts Brentford - and this is how we think the Whites will line up.
Sunday’s clash at the Gtech Stadium in West London offers something very different to United’s last three tests against Premier League giants.
Leeds, though, are heading for Brentford having taken four points from their last three enormous tests, a tally which would not have been expected.
Three consecutive tests against Premier League heavyweights began with a trip to Manchester City in which Farke’s side were 2-0 down at the break.
Farke, though, made a huge change at the interval as he switched to a 3-5-2 system which sparked an amazing comeback only for Leeds to suffer last-gasp heartache in a 3-2 defeat.
The 3-5-2 system, though, remained in place for Wednesday night’s hosting of Chelsea and Saturday evening’s visit of Liverpool from which the Whites took four points via a brilliant 3-1 win against the Blues and 3-3 draw against the Reds.
Eight days later, fifth-bottom Leeds will visit 14th-placed Brentford where we expect the big Farke first of a first 3-5-2 from the start in the Premier League away from home.
Farke had made two changes to his team for the visit of Liverpool as the busy Ao Tanaka dropped to the bench to be replaced by Ilia Gruev in midfield.
Lukas Nmecha, paired in a new front two with Dominic Calvert-Lewin since the second half at City, missed out against Liverpool due to a hamstring strain.
Noah Okafor took his place in the XI before coming off as part of a triple-change in the 65th-minute which saw Tanaka, Willy Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson introduced as Farke changed formation again to a 4-3-3.
Again, it worked, Tanaka, Gnonto and Aaronson all helping to alter United’s fortunes as the Whites fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to claim a 3-3 draw.
Eight days later, this is the XI that we think Farke will send out against the Bees.
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7. CM: Ethan Ampadu
The captain whose leadership and no-nonsense in midfield proved key to a fine week against City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Just a case of which formation Ampadu appears in but the 5-3-2 appears more likely. | Getty Images
8. CM: Anton Stach
Stach's excellent display against Liverpool even had the likes of Boris Becker calling for a Germany recall which might be forthcoming if such displays are repeated. Another very good summer signing who looks the second banker bet to start in centre midfield. | Getty Images
9. CM: Ao Tanaka
Another who enjoyed a particularly good week against City, Chelsea and Liverpool, the Japanese international star capping some fine displays with his first two Premier League goals. Tanaka dropped to the bench against the Reds due to his busy recent workload as Ilia Gruev started and it's very possible that the more defensive option Gruev might start again but Tanaka feels key to helping Leeds in an attacking sphere and could get the nod in a big change to the midfield. | Getty Images
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10. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Four months on from his arrival as a free transfer, Calvert-Lewin looks in excellent shape, shrugging off doubts about calf problems to play the full match against Liverpool. With doubts over Nmecha due to his hamstring strain, 'DCL' appears a banker bet to start, whatever the formation and his hold up play will likely be key. | Getty Images
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11. ST: Noah Okafor
It might be that Nmecha recovers sufficiently from his hamstring strain to start but there's clearly an element of doubt and despite being a natural winger, Okafor has quickly shown that he can also be a nuisance upfront. The Swiss ace started alongside Calvert-Lewin in a front two against Liverpool and that looks the most likely call again although Willy Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson will surely both be in Farke's minds for starts too although starting either would likely mean moving a 4-3-3. | Getty Images