Why Brentford are the worst final day opponents for relegation-threatened Leeds

To the average football fan, Leeds' opponents in their final game of the season seem to be the ideal candidates in their survival bid - mid-table, nothing to play for and enjoying their successful season.

However, this final day affair in which Leeds need to at least draw to have a hope of staying up won't be as buddy-buddy as people would expect.

In the not so distant past, Leeds and Brentford were both playing in the Championship before the Yorkshire side were promoted as champions in 2020, and Brentford followed them via the play-offs in 2021.

Both sides had flirted with challenging for the Premier League in the last decade, and despite being based on opposite sides of the country, they built an unexpected rivalry in the 2019/20 season.

Leeds won the league, whilst the Bees ended up missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season thanks to a shock loss against Barnsley, losing to Fulham in the play-offs.

However, it's more than just competing for promotion that has caused the tension between the clubs.

So why is there ill-feeling between the two sides? Here's how it went down two campaigns ago and why it will really sting Leeds if Brentford are the ones to send them back to where their rivalry began…

Lost in translation

The Whites had lost four of their last five games as the 2019/20 season was edging towards its end, and all eyes turned to their clash against Brentford at Griffin Park.

Marcelo Bielsa's side had beaten Frank's team 1-0 in the reverse fixture, and prior to the game in west London, the Bees boss made a bold statement that alluded to him having a dig at their promotion rivals.

However, just this week the Danish manager addressed the statement he made two years ago, making it clear that he didn't mean to say that Leeds should feel threatened.

"It is nothing about Everton, Burnley or Leeds and I know in my press conference I will get a lot of questions between the story about me and 'so-called' Leeds fans and a video, but there is no story there from my perspective," the Dane said.

"In the Championship two years ago - I'm normally very transparent and honest, and I don't do mind games - by mistake, I said they [Leeds] will fear coming to Griffin Park - that's what I said.

"That's the only thing I said since then, I haven't said anything bad. I think Leeds is one of the biggest clubs in the country; they should be in the Premier League with the story and the history."

Leeds fans would be best advised to hold back from giving the Bees manager too much stick on Sunday still, though…

Mind the gap

Frank was the subject of yet another moment of tension between the sides in the 2019/20 campaign.

As Leeds celebrated their promotion back to the top flight, Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper took the chance at having a dig at their promotion rivals - specifically Frank.

"Mind the gap, Thomas Frank," the pair chanted grasping the trophy in a video posted by Leeds as they got the party started.

That one seems to have back fired slightly and could come back to haunt them on Sunday. Or at least Bees star Ivan Toney seems to think so…

Skipper's swap

To add insult to injury, former Leeds player turned Brentford captain Pontus Jansson could be aid in inflicting further woes on the Yorkshire side.

Jansson was also Leeds's skipper until he was sold by then-boss Bielsa just before the start of the 2019/20 season. Reports at the time suggested the defender fell out with him and that's why he moved on.

However, the centre-back has since insisted that wasn't the case, but he did admit he and the Argentinian did regularly disagree.

Despite an unhappy ending to his time at Elland Road, the Swede still has a big soft spot for the club, though.

"To be completely honest, I miss Leeds and love Leeds," Jansson told the Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen back in 2021.

"But I'm in a place in life where I'm incredibly happy with where I am now at my new club and how appreciated I am there".

It's likely Jansson won't be filled with too much vengeance when he takes Leeds on this weekend, then.

But should the Bees get the upper hand on Sunday, their former captain putting the final nail in their relegation coffin would be a real stinger.

Nothing separated the sides back in December in the 2-2 draw at Elland Road, but could Leeds' last ditch attempt to stay up bring the fire back to the tie?

talkSPORT will have exclusive coverage from Brentford Community Stadium with kick-off set for 4pm.