Credit: Tung Manh Phan/Breaking Media

Cameron Smith

Sat 16 May 2026 7:10, UK

Leeds United are looking to give the Elland Road faithful one final memorable performance this season on Sunday, as they host Brighton.

After an excellent top-flight season, the Whites saw their Premier League safety confirmed without having to kick a ball last week, with West Ham falling to defeat against Arsenal.

Despite the main goal of the season being achieved, Daniel Farke’s side did not rest on their laurels.

Making the trip to Tottenham on Monday, Leeds fought back after an excellent Mathys Tel opener, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelling the scores from the spot.

For the final home match of the season, Europe-chasing Brighton make the trip to Elland Road.

Form guide

Since returning from the international break, Leeds have been in sensational form.

With three wins and two draws in the league, safety has been secured with matches to spare, while Farke’s side have played some fantastic football across this run.

Brighton are also in fine fettle, having thrown themselves back into the European picture.

Having fallen to a shock defeat against Newcastle at the top of the month, Fabian Hürzeler’s side bounced back perfectly with a 3-0 win against basement dwellers Wolves, leaving the Seagulls seventh in the standings.

Leeds (last six games all competitions): DWLDWW

Brighton (last six games all competitions): WLWDWW

Head-to-head

Across 48 matches, Leeds and Brighton remain evenly matched, with the South Coast side just edging it across all competitions, with 19 wins to 16.

Having only faced each other seven times in the Premier League, the sample size is not too large, though the Whites will be looking to bring the poor run to an end, having failed to win any of these seven.

While Farke’s side did fall to a 3-0 defeat at the Amex back in November, they are unbeaten in two at Elland Road against the Seagulls, with 2-2 and 1-1 draws.

Team news and predicted lineups

Even though the campaign goal has already been achieved, Farke is still likely to go strong with his team selection.

After coming off the bench on Monday, Lukas Nmecha linked up well with Calvert-Lewin and could therefore be rewarded with a start in the final home match of the campaign – a season in which he has scored seven times and provided three assists in just 1,344 minutes.

Replacing Brenden Aaronson in the side, Nmecha would come in to form a front two.

Alongside this, Farke will be forced into a further three changes, as he confirmed multiple absentees at his Friday press conference.

With it confirmed that Jayden Bogle will miss the clash, Dan James could step in at wing-back, with James Justin occupied on the left due to Gabriel Gudmundsson’s stint on the sidelines.

Pascal Struijk is also yet to train this week, meaning that Sebastiaan Bornauw could take his spot at centre-back.

And rounding off the fourth and final change, Sean Longstaff could step into midfield, with Ethan Ampadu a major doubt due to illness.

On the Brighton side, Hürzeler remains without Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster, who will not return to action until next season.

Mats Wieffer and Diego Gomez are both doubts, while Farke’s compatriot has the rest of his squad to choose from as they chase a continental return.

Brighton man to watch: Jack Hinshelwood

Versatile midfielder Jack Hinshelwood is in fine form for Brighton, having operated across multiple roles in the side.

In recent weeks, the youngster has played somewhat of a second striker role, with his goal return of three in his last three showcasing this.

The midfielder is a bundle of energy, and Leeds will have to keep their eye out for his late runs into the box – something that is a staple of his game.

We say: Leeds 2-2 Brighton

Both sides are in fine form heading into the penultimate match of the season, and could cancel each other out as a result.

The Whites do not necessarily have anything to play for, but Farke will be determined to put in a showing in the final match at Elland Road this term.

Playing out a score draw, the West Yorkshire faithful would not be too displeased as they head into the final day against West Ham.