Sunderland vs Leeds preview: Brobbey expected back, Leeds doubts

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Sunderland host Leeds United in a Premier League Matchweek 8 fixture at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 25 October, with kick-off at 4.30pm. Stuart Attwell is the referee.

Sunderland are 20th with four points from seven games (won one, drawn one, lost five), with six goals scored and 14 conceded. Leeds are seventh with 10 points from seven (won two, drawn four, lost one), with nine scored and six conceded. That leaves a six-point gap between the sides.

Recent form

Sunderland have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six matches, scoring seven goals and conceding 11. They beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 and Torreense 2-1, and lost 5-3 at Man City, 2-0 to Brighton and 2-0 at Bournemouth. Their latest match was a 1-1 draw at Lech Poznań on Thursday 22 October. In the league, they have won none of their last five (one draw, four defeats).

Leeds have won one, drawn three and lost two of their last six, scoring 10 goals and conceding 11. They beat Newcastle 4-1 at home, drew 1-1 at Brighton, 0-0 with Crystal Palace and 1-1 with Man Utd, and lost 6-3 at Chelsea and 2-1 at Arsenal. In the league, they have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five.

Team	Last six (oldest first)
Sunderland	WLLWLD WLLWLD
Leeds	DLWDLD DLWDLD

Sunderland: last six results

Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
Thu 22 Oct	Away	Lech Poznań	1-1	D
Sun 18 Oct	Away	Bournemouth	0-2	L
Thu 15 Oct	Away	Torreense	2-1	W
Sat 10 Oct	Home	Brighton	0-2	L
Sun 20 Sep	Away	Man City	3-5	L
Wed 16 Sep	Home	AZ Alkmaar	1-0	W

Leeds: last six results

Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result
Sun 18 Oct	Home	Man Utd	1-1	D
Sat 10 Oct	Away	Arsenal	1-2	L
Sun 20 Sep	Home	Crystal Palace	0-0	D
Mon 14 Sep	Home	Newcastle	4-1	W
Wed 9 Sep	Away	Chelsea	3-6	L
Sat 5 Sep	Away	Brighton	1-1	D

What the managers said

Régis Le Bris (Sunderland)

The Sunderland manager spoke about the run of results and the demands of the fixture list.

“It’s almost a new feeling because everything has been so positive for such a long time”

“It’s hard to take, but I think the most important [thing] is to enjoy the challenge to get better.”

Le Bris also referred to the schedule, and to Leeds.

“that the schedule was relentless”

“They are doing really well and they are consistent as well. They are in a different position, but anything is possible in football.”

On his squad’s availability, he said:

“Thomas and Wilson are in a good place, and we’ll see if they can be ready soon.”

“the next game is always the most important one”

Daniel Farke (Leeds)

The Leeds manager gave updates on his injury doubts and on his strikers.

“If the game would be today, all three wouldn’t be available. They’ve missed many training sessions during this week. Good positive news is we still have today and we will try to make them available.”

“Daniel [James] had his first full training week. He is definitely also in contention for this game.”

On the striker options, Farke said:

“For a back up striker, I think Lukas Nmecha has scored seven goals. Bayern Munich would be happy if a back up for Harry Kane scored seven goals. I think it’s a really good record.”

“Lukas is similar in strength to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Physicality and work load is quite good.”

“I totally back my strikers to do the job.”

Farke also gave his view of Sunderland’s position in the table.

“I know exactly what to expect. I’m pretty sure they won’t finish in the position in which they currently are. I expect them to play to their DNA and their plan.”

Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds)

The Leeds defender spoke about the trip to Wearside.

“Sunderland at home is always difficult to deal with, we know that, so we need to be strong. It is going to be a challenge.”

“Also, we want to have revenge from last time we were there.”

“We want to go there and definitely get something out of it because that will be massive for us.”

Team news

Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle is out with a knee injury. Brian Brobbey (hamstring) should be ready for the Leeds game, though he was not risked against Lech Poznań. Thomas Meunier and Wilson Isidor are working towards a return and could be ready soon, but Le Bris did not say whether either will be fit for Sunday, and Omar Alderete is available. Leeds are without Mateo Joseph (cruciate ligament tear) and Joe Rodon, who is still doing rehab work on a hamstring injury. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (bruised foot) had not joined team training and is a doubt, as are Anton Stach (foot) and Noah Okafor (adductor). Dan James had his first full training week and is in contention for selection.

Where Sunderland can hurt Leeds

Leeds have conceded in five of their last six matches, with Crystal Palace the only side they kept out. They let in six at Chelsea and two at Arsenal, and have conceded 11 goals across the six games. Sunderland have scored in four of their last six, including three at Man City.

Leeds also have injury concerns at the back and in attack. Rodon is out, and Calvert-Lewin, Stach and Okafor are doubts. Brobbey is expected to be available to Sunderland after missing the Lech Poznań game.

Sunderland won 42 corners to their opponents’ 26 across their last six matches. Their last home league match ended in a 2-0 defeat by Brighton, but they beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home before that.

Where Leeds can hurt Sunderland

Sunderland have conceded 14 goals in seven league games, an average of two per match, and have lost five of them. They have conceded in five of their last six matches overall, the exception being the 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar. Leeds have scored in five of their last six, including four against Newcastle.

Sunderland were also shut out in two of their last six, by Brighton and Bournemouth, and have six league goals in seven games. Leeds have conceded six league goals in seven and have lost once in the league, at Arsenal, in the period covered by the last six.

Sunderland played at Lech Poznań on Thursday 22 October, while Leeds’ most recent match in the sequence was the draw with Man Utd on 18 October. Le Bris has described the schedule as “relentless”.

How to watch

Sunderland vs Leeds kicks off at 4.30pm UK time on Sunday 25 October, live on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event, NOW. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.

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