Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Fri 20 March 2026 8:40, UK

Leeds United have had an overreliance on set-piece goals this season.

The Whites welcome Brentford to Elland Road, knowing just how crucial a win could prove to be for them ahead of the final stretch of the season.

And based on the campaign so far, utilising their strengths from set-pieces would typically be their best way to go about it.

Anton Stach has created 27 chances from set-pieces this season, which is the most in the Premier League, with Leeds having scored 13 times from deadball situations.

However, when Leeds face Brentford this weekend, they may need to find another way to pose a threat.

Brentford record will make Leeds United strength irrelevant

Of Leeds United’s 37 Premier League goals this season, 13 of them, or 35.1 per cent of them, have come from set-piece situations.

It’s the highest percentage of goals from set pieces of any team in the top flight this season, showcasing just how much they have relied on them.

However, Brentford hold one of the best defensive records in the league when it comes to set-pieces, having conceded just seven in the Premier League excluding penalties.

The two will likely cancel each other out, meaning Daniel Farke will need to adapt his game plan, which has largely restricted Leeds’ ability to create chances from open play.

Of their 42.55 xG this season, 12.73 has been from dead-ball situations.

Wilfried Gnonto could be the key to victory vs Brentford

If set-pieces aren’t going to prove effective, then Leeds need to have the players on the pitch who can create something from nothing, and there may not be anyone better suited to the cause than Wilfried Gnonto.

While the Italian has struggled for minutes this season, he has shown his creativity and threat posed in the final third whenever Farke has given him the chance.

Added to that, Noah Okafor’s absence through injury will strengthen his case for a starting role in the team, given that the Swiss international may not be ready to start, despite looking as though he will make the squad.

Farke cannot persist with the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Lukas Nmecha, especially in a game where their quality from open play is going to be the deciding factor behind whether or not they can get a result.