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Brentford Predicted XI vs Leeds After Carabao Cup Rotation
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- Brentford Predicted XI vs Leeds After Carabao Cup Rotation
(REUTERS)
Andrews took the opportunity to shuffle his pack in the Carabao Cup, but Sunday's visit to Leeds United is likely to see a return to a more recognisable B rentford starting XI.
Of the side that swept past Tottenham 3-0 in the Premier League , just Nathan Collins , Vitaly Janelt and Dango Ouattara kept their places for the midweek trip to Birmingham City. Perhaps a suggestion around their
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The significant number of changes did nothing to halt Brentford 's momentum from the win against Spurs, with the Bees cruising to a 6-1 win at St Andrew's. Now, with several regulars rested in midweek, Andrews is expected to bring them back into the fold at Elland Road.
Andrews has often highlighted the depth at his disposal this season. His decision to make eight changes at Birmingham meant key names like Caoimhín Kelleher , Michael Kayode , Kristoffer Ajer , Keane Lewis-Potter , Mamadou Sangaré, Mathias Jensen , Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago were able to sit out from the start.
No fresh fitness concerns emerged from the cup win either. Andrews said Brentford had "come through midweek really well", while Yehor Yarmoliuk is also fine despite appearing to pick up a knock before coming off at Birmingham.
Given how Brentford performed against Tottenham , there is little reason for Andrews to tinker with that Premier League line-up.
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Defence Could Revert to Tottenham Line-Up
Kelleher is expected to reclaim his spot in goal, with Hákon Valdimarsson having been handed the Carabao Cup outing in midweek.
Rico Henry clocked up another start at Birmingham, while new arrival El Hadji Malick Diouf , fresh from West Ham , has added further competition for the role.
Andrews has called left-back one of the stronger areas in his squad, but Keane Lewis-Potter appears the frontrunner to start against Leeds after impressing there in the win over Tottenham . Diouf only joined this week, so a debut from the off at Elland Road would be a quick turnaround, with Andrews admitting he was unsure if the left-back has been registered in time to play.
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On the opposite flank, Michael Kayode is set to return after Aaron Hickey was given the nod at Birmingham.
Nathan Collins has featured in both recent wins and is hard to overlook, while Kristoffer Ajer is likely to slot back in alongside him after a midweek rest.
Jannik Schuster caught the eye on his first competitive start at Birmingham, but unless fitness concerns arise, Andrews is unlikely to disrupt the back line that kept Tottenham at bay.
Sangaré Should Return in Midfield
Sangaré emerged as one of the standout positives from the opening weekend.
The club-record signing made an immediate impact on his Premier League debut, playing a part in the build-up to two of Brentford 's three goals against Tottenham . Andrews was quick to praise his display, and the midfielder was given a breather from the starting XI at Birmingham.
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All signs point to Sangaré returning straight to the line-up at Elland Road.
Janelt has been ever-present so far and should keep his place, while Mathias Jensen is also in line to return after missing the cup tie.
Mikkel Damsgaard and Yehor Yarmoliuk both featured from the off at Birmingham and offer Andrews real depth on the bench, but it would be a tough call to break up a midfield that clicked so well against Spurs.
Thiago and Schade Set to Return
The situation is much the same in attack.
Ouattara was one of just three players to keep his place in midweek, and he looks set to continue in the side.
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Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony were both handed their first competitive starts for Brentford at Birmingham, but it is Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade who are expected to come back in alongside Ouattara on Sunday.
Thiago led the line against Tottenham and remains the focal point up front, while Schade's pace could be a real asset against a Leeds side likely to show more attacking intent in their first home league fixture of the campaign.
Daniel Farke's side have opened the season with back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Nottingham Forest in both league and cup, so the Bees can expect a much more of a test than they faced on Tuesday night.
Andrews could yet reward some of those who caught the eye at Birmingham, but the chance to rotate so extensively in midweek means he heads to Elland Road with the bulk of his first-choice Premier League side well rested.
Brentford Predicted XI vs Leeds United
Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Sangaré, Jensen; Ouattara, Thiago, Schade.
