Last Word on Sports brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups for the Leeds United vs Brighton EPL clash at Elland Road.
It has been an outstanding season for hosts Leeds, who shot up to 14th place after a draw at Tottenham last time out, and now have the luxury of playing the final two games of the season with no real pressure. For the Seagulls, victory could propel them into 6th place, putting them in pole position for a Europa League spot and highlighting just how successful Fabian Hurzeler has been on the South Coast.
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Leeds United vs Brighton: Team News and Predicted Lineups as Seagulls Chase Europa League Spot
Date: Sunday 17th May 2026
Venue: Elland Road
Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT
Last Meeting: Brighton 3-0 Leeds (November 1st 2025, Premier League)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Current Odds: Leeds 12/5, Brighton 23/20
Leeds United Team News
In his pre-match press conference, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said his side would be without Ilia Gruev, Noah Okafor, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle for the Brighton game, making a highly rotated side likely.
The German added that Pascal Struijk was also a ‘big doubt’, and that captain Ethan Ampadu was suffering with illness, making the Welshman a ‘major doubt’ for Sunday.
Despite the injury crisis, he said: “We want to finish as strong as possible and with the best possible result.
“I back my whole group and I back my players also in these circumstances to deliver one more top performance here at home and to be competitive against a really strong side who is fighting for Europe.
When asked about his own future with his contract expiring in 2027, he said: “When I signed the contract three years ago we spoke about the goals, what we want to achieve, and I have to say my mission is fulfilled, and my job is done here, and there’s nothing to add anymore.
“It’s important for the club that we sit together in a trustful atmosphere to speak about new goals. We have to speak about new goals, the way we want to achieve it, the processes and then before I speak about the future, the club has to decide where we want to be.”
Brighton & Hove Albion Team News
In his press conference, Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that winger Kaoru Mitoma is unavailable for the final two games of the season after suffering a hamstring injury against Wolves.
On the Japanese international’s injury, the German said it was a ‘big blow’, but that the club has shown ‘the whole season that we can replace important players.’
Elsewhere, Diego Gomez is back in contention to play on Sunday, whilst Mats Wieffer could also make his return to the matchday squad.
On the possibility of his side securing Champions League football if results go their way, Hurzeler said: “I feel the biggest excitement going to the special stadium, to the special atmosphere, facing a really strong opponent and preparing my team the best we can prepare.”
When asked about facing Leeds, he said: “I am expecting a team that is difficult to beat. I think they haven’t lost since March in the Premier League, so it shows they’re on a really good run.
“I think it is a special atmosphere playing in their stadium. The fans are behind them, they’ve achieved something really nice by staying in the league so we expect a tough challenge.”
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Leeds United Predicted Lineup
GK: Karl Darlow
CB: Joe Rodon
CB: Jaka Bijol
CB: Sebastiaan Bornauw
RWB: Willy Gnonto
LWB: James Justin
CM: Ao Tanaka
CM: Sean Longstaff
AM: Anton Stach
AM: Brenden Aaronson
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Brighton Predicted Lineup
GK: Bart Verbruggen
RB: Ferdi Kadioglu
CB: Jan-Paul Van Hecke
CB: Lewis Dunk
LB: Maxim De Cuyper
DM: Carlos Baleba
DM: Pascal Gross
RW: Yankuba Minteh
AM: Jack Hinshelwood
LW: Georginio Rutter
ST: Danny Welbeck
Featured image courtesy of Imago/Colorsport
