Sunday’s trip to the Stadium of Light sends a confident Leeds side to face a Sunderland team still hunting for answers. We sit seventh on 10 points from seven games (W2 D4 L1, goal difference +3) and have lost just once all season, to reigning champions Arsenal. We’ve also taken points off Crystal Palace and Manchester United along the way, and Leeds are far from a side in trouble.
The foundation is there. The defence has been strong and we’re hard to beat, which is exactly what a newly promoted side needs to build on in the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s challenge is turning control into wins, but that’s a good problem to have. We’re creating the platform, and a few more of those draws tipping our way would have us much higher.
Sunderland sit bottom with four points from seven (W1 D1 L5, goal difference -8) and have lost four of their last five league games. Europa League commitments add to a punishing schedule, so they need this result badly. A home win would lift them off the foot of the table and give them belief. That need could make them dangerous, but it also hands Leeds a chance to go and show what we’re made of.
Sunderland are without suspended centre-back Kevin Danso after his red card at Bournemouth, and Daniel Ballard (hamstring), Romaine Mundle (knee) and Thomas Meunier are also out. Wilson Isidor is a doubt. Brian Brobbey is expected back from a hamstring issue after being rested midweek, which is a boost for them, but Régis Le Bris still has to reshuffle his back line and will likely lean on Luke O’Nien or Nordi Mukiele.
Leeds have some fitness calls to make, with Joe Rodon still out long-term. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (bruised foot after a late challenge against United), Anton Stach (foot) and Noah Okafor (adductor) all missed training time this week. Farke was honest about it: “If the game would be today, all three wouldn’t be available.” But there’s still time, and the staff will be doing everything to get them right. There’s good news too, as Daniel James has now had his first full week of training and is in contention.
If any of the three miss out, we have the answers in the squad. Farke has been full of praise for Lukas Nmecha, pointing out that seven goals is a superb return for a back-up striker and one Bayern Munich would be happy with from Harry Kane’s understudy. He sees Nmecha as similar in strength to Calvert-Lewin, so the plan wouldn’t have to change. Against a side missing key defenders and fighting at the wrong end of the table, Leeds have the quality, the resilience and the belief to go and take all three points.
Related
Related