For the final time in 2025, Leeds United take to the pitch to face a Sunderland side that has made an incredible start to the Premier League season, but is missing key players.
Sunderland were promoted alongside Leeds last season via the play-offs, having beaten Sheffield United in the play-off final. The Black Cats have gone from strength to strength under Regis Le Bris this season.
The Black Cats’ incredible work in the transfer window, which includes bringing in Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey, as well as Leeds targets Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, has boosted Sunderland.
Six points clear of the bottom three – Leeds can start to relax… can’t they? 😤
Le Bris’ men sit sixth in the table and as things stand, are on course for a European finish. Remarkable, given the previous six promoted sides have all been relegated. Now, in-form Leeds go to Wearside.
If Leeds are to get a result at the Stadium of Light, they are going to need to be at their very best and to that end, Daniel Farke provided an update in Tuesday’s press conference ahead of Sunday’s outing.
Daniel Farke delivers injury update on Leeds United squad
Sean Longstaff was confirmed as having injured his calf and would be sidelined for four-to-six weeks. We are now four weeks into that timeline, and Farke delivered an update on the midfielder on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Lukas Nmecha remains sidelined with his calf problem, an issue that has proven to be a lot harder to recover from than initially thought. Dan James remains a long-term absentee as things stand.
Farke told his press conference: “No chance for Sean, also not for Dan James but there is a small chance for Lukas Nmecha to be involved. There is some progress, I hope to have him involved this week.
“Back in team training, and if he comes through these sessions, then he could definitely be a topic for the squad and he could travel with us. But he’s the only one from the long-term injuries who has a chance.”
How Leeds United will line-up against Sunderland on Sunday…
Of course, Farke’s press conference comes a whole lot earlier than it normally would before a game, given that Christmas is around the corner and this week is different to others. But the line-up will be similar.
This was Daniel Farke’s best performance as Leeds manager – Prove me wrong! 💪
Palace had no answers for Farke's 'hybrid' system. Relive it all here!
Even if Longstaff can be a part of the squad on Sunday, he’ll be on the bench to begin with. The entire starting XI is likely to remain the same, with Farke only left with one decision to make on Sunday.
Does he retain Brenden Aaronson in midfield, after his surprise inclusion against Palace? The American was excellent as a no.8 against the Eagles, as Leeds overpowered the FA Cup winners to win 4-1.
Or, does he bring Ao Tanaka or Ilia Gruev back into the side alongside last Saturday’s goalscorers Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu? That seems to be Farke’s only contentious issue though, ahead of Sunday.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
