Credit: Imago and Match of the Day

Richie Mills

Sun 22 March 2026 7:38, UK

Leeds United were too indecisive against Brentford but their draw at Elland Road could be “massive” for their season, says Alan Shearer.

Daniel Farke’s team took another small step towards Premier League survival with an uninspiring goalless draw with Brentford on Saturday.

Leeds had the better of the chances in what was largely a forgettable affair but couldn’t get the goal that would have taken them six points clear of the drop zone.

For now, they will have to make do with four, as relegation rivals West Ham take on Wolves and Tottenham host Nottingham Forest next.

Shearer said Leeds lacked quality against Brentford and there was a “nervousness” amongst the home fans. But the Newcastle United legend thinks this point could go a long way to securing their Premier League survival.

Alan Shearer thinks Leeds need only four more points

Despite many Leeds fans coming away disappointed after their stalemate with Brentford, it is worth pointing out that the Bees sit seventh in the Premier League.

Having lost seven of their first away league games this season, including one win, Brentford have since lost just once of their last eight matches on the road (five wins and two draws).

Shearer suggested this was a must-not-lose game and pointed out that Leeds’ edginess was an example of that.

He said on Match of the Day: “If you can’t win the game, then don’t get beaten. It could be a massive point for Leeds. That puts them four clear of the drop zone.

“They’ve got Wolves and Burnley to play at home and I think another four points will be enough. Yes, they were lacking a little bit of quality but I also felt there was definite nervousness in there. They were edgy at times.

“They didn’t know whether to commit fully, to sit and try to protect what they had. It could be an important point.”

As Shearer alluded to, Leeds did well to restrict Brentford to very little. And with Jaka Bijol at the back, the Whites never really looked like conceding.

But that was a fourth league game in a row where Leeds haven’t scored as they missed the chance to really pull clear of the relegation zone.

Leeds continue to be solid at the back

While Leeds haven’t scored in more than 360 minutes of Premier League football, they are, largely, proving to be hard to break down in defence.

Leeds’ stalemate against Brentford was their second clean sheet in a row, which will do their negative goal difference no harm at all.

Leeds sit 15th in the table and have a better goal difference (-11) than 17th-placed Forest (-15) and 18th-positioned West Ham (-19), although Tottenham are at -7 in 16th.

Brentford striker Thiago has 19 goals in what has been a remarkable season for a striker who failed to fire last term.

But Leeds restricted him well in the 1-1 reverse fixture and did the same again on Saturday.

In fact, he was limited to just one shot off target as Europe-chasing Brentford never really looked like scoring.

Shearer believes that 37 points will be enough to keep Leeds up but their relegation rivals may think otherwise.