Leeds United’s ’surprise’ title rivals are 90 minutes away from triple suspension blow

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A busy week awaits in the Championship as Leeds United and their promotion rivals each face three matches before the final international break of 2024 rolls around next weekend.

Daniel Farke’s side welcome Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle to Elland Road on Saturday, before a midweek trip to Millwall which is followed by the visit of QPR.

With two of these sides currently in the bottom four, Leeds fans will be hoping for a healthy points haul, while at the same time they will be keeping an eye on their fellow title contenders.

Sunderland currently lead the way, five points ahead of Burnley, who are above Leeds on goal difference. Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United are a point back in fourth.

Pascal Struijk’s ’surprise’ at Sunderland start

Sunderland’s start under new boss Regis Le Bris has been one of the more notable early-season narratives in the Championship, with the Black Cats having won nine of their opening 12 matches.

That has impressed Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk, who was quick to namecheck them when he discussed his own side’s progress o far this term.

“We always have high expectations,” he told the BBC. “I am a bit surprised by Sunderland by the way. They have started really well.

“But this league is long and is very tough. It is about how we deal with the challenges throughout the season, like injuries at the moment and how we play through them and how we get success at the end as a team.”

Key Sunderland trio face suspension threat

The Championship season is very much at that point where bookings are beginning to mount and players are risking suspension.

Any player who is cautioned five times before their team’s 19th game, which falls at the start of December, will be given a one-match ban and Sunderland have three key players walking the disciplinary tightrope.

Defender Trai Hume is currently on four yellows, as are the impressive young midfield duo Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, meaning if they are booked in the same match, Le Bris would be delivered a significant blow.

Leeds have had to deal with a similar issue, with Junior Firpo having to sit out the draw at Bristol City, while Jayden Bogle will miss this weekend’s match against Plymouth. Joe Rodon and Wilfried Gnonto are both on four yellows and will need to get through to the Derby clash on December 7 without another card in order to avoid a one-match suspension.