Leeds vs Brighton – News and Probable Lineups

Brighton & Hove Albion have the chance to keep their aspirations for the Champions League alive with a victory over Leeds United at Elland Road in the Premier League this Sunday.

The Seagulls are positioned seventh with 53 points, with six matches remaining, but they need to aim for sixth place, which could secure a Champions League spot, while Leeds, sitting in 14th, are comfortably safe with 44 points.

Match overview

Leeds have had an impressive season under head coach Daniel Farke, already achieving a superior points total compared to their previous two seasons in the top flight (31 and 38).

The Whites began the 2025-26 season on a challenging note, suffering eight defeats, drawing two, and winning only three out of their first 13 matches; however, they have since lost just four of their last 23 league outings.

Farke’s squad will look to expand their unbeaten league run to nine games this Sunday, and a win would mark their fourth victory in six fixtures.

Leeds remarkably scored 11 goals in their last five top-flight encounters while conceding only five, although they arguably got fortunate to concede just once in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on May 11.

At Elland Road, they have not lost a home match in their last three games, winning the latest two with a combined score of 6-1.

This Sunday presents an opportunity for Leeds to seek revenge for their 3-0 defeat against Brighton in November 2025, but they must overcome their recent struggles against the Seagulls if they wish to achieve a win for the first time in eight matchups.

Brighton still has a chance to finish in the top five, as they are just six points behind both fifth-placed Aston Villa and fourth-placed Liverpool, who are set to face each other on Friday. Nevertheless, a more practical goal for the club would be to surpass Bournemouth in sixth.

The Cherries are only two points ahead and have a match against Manchester City on Tuesday. Securing the sixth position could be sufficient for Champions League participation if Villa wins the Europa League while finishing fifth.

Fabian Hurzeler deserves significant recognition for turning around the narrative surrounding his position; while the Seagulls managed to collect six points between matchweeks 14 and 26, his side has acquired 22 points from a possible 30 in their last 10 league matches.

Brighton has won four of their last six Premier League fixtures, with just one loss, scoring at least two goals in four games and achieving three clean sheets.

Hurzeler watched his team secure a 3-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 9, although their last away match was less fortunate, seeing them lose 3-1 to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on May 2.

This defeat extended Brighton’s winless stretch on the road to two games, following a 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on April 18, but they had previously won their last three away matches.

Team News

In what will be their last home fixture, Leeds will aim to mark their survival in the Premier League and thus it’s likely that striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will start in attack.

However, Farke has indicated that Ethan Ampadu is a significant doubt due to illness, and losing him from the midfield could be impactful.

If he cannot feature this weekend, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka may potentially be paired with Sean Longstaff.

As for Brighton, key players Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke are expected to be included in the starting XI at center-back, with both on the verge of their 30th and 35th league appearances respectively.

Despite ongoing speculation regarding midfielder Carlos Baleba’s future, he may still play a crucial role in the concluding games of the season, likely partnering with Pascal Gross in a double pivot.

Winger Kaoru Mitoma has been ruled out, and Hurzeler has suggested that he may miss the World Cup. Nonetheless, Ferdi Kadioglu and Yankuba Minteh are likely to be featured on Sunday, with Maxim De Cuyper potentially available for the left side.

Leeds United probable starting XI:

Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Bornauw; Gnonto, Stach, Longstaff, Tanaka, Justin; Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha

Brighton & Hove Albion probable starting XI:

Bridge; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Gross; Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Minteh; Welbeck

Though Leeds have confirmed their Premier League survival, supporters would be disappointed if the team didn’t put in a sincere effort to conclude their home campaign on a high note.

However, they will be facing a formidable Brighton side, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the visitors secured three points in their pursuit of European football.