🏏 Sun, 17 May 2026 15:00 BST
Leeds United
vs
Brighton & Hove Albion
3-5-2 vs 4-2-3-1
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- The clash between 14th-placed Leeds (44 points from 36 games) and 7th-placed Brighton (53 points from 36 games) shows a 9-point gap in the table. Leeds remain in good form with 3 wins and 2 draws in their last five, and Brighton are also steady with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their last five. Leaders Arsenal (79 points from 36 games) are 35 points clear of Leeds and 26 points clear of Brighton.
- In this season's Matchday 10 meeting at Brighton's home, Brighton cruised to a 3-0 win. Leeds will want revenge at home and to escape the relegation battle completely, but Brighton, eyeing a European qualification spot, will not want to give ground either.
- Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka (27) starts in central midfield in a 3-5-2 system. Voted the club's Player of the Year in 2024-25, Tanaka controls games with numbers like 90 touches per match on average and a pass completion rate over 90%. Having come through Kawasaki Frontale and Fortuna Dusseldorf, he functions as the heartbeat of midfield.
- Leeds' front two are former Everton man Dominic Calvert-Lewin (29) and USA midfielder Brenden Aaronson (25). Calvert-Lewin's weapons are his aerial play and hold-up using his 189cm frame. Aaronson, who set a career high of 9 goals in 2024-25, is a high-press specialist who contributed to promotion.
- Brighton's Pascal Gross (34), who returned from Dortmund in January 2026, plays as the deep-lying playmaker. Drawing on his wealth of Premier League experience, he brings stability to the side with set-piece precision and game-making ability. Up front, veteran centre-forward Danny Welbeck (35) leads the line with diligent pressing and hold-up play.
- Leeds line up in a 3-5-2 and Brighton in a 4-2-3-1, so the systems differ. Leeds create numerical superiority with five in midfield, with the forward runs of wing-backs Justin (27) and James (26) holding the key. Brighton, meanwhile, have young winger Yankuba Minteh (21) targeting the space alongside the back three with explosive pace and dynamic dribbling.