Monday presents Sunderland with what’s going to be their toughest assignment of the season so far – Leeds United away.
For pretty much every team in the Championship, Leeds United at Elland road is the toughest game of the season.
And that’s bound to be the case for Sunderland, no less because the two teams are vying for promotion from the Championship with Leeds in 1st and Sunderland in 4th place of the table.
| 1 | Leeds | 32 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 66 | 19 | 47 | 69 |
| 2 | Sheffield Utd | 32 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 46 | 23 | 23 | 67 |
| 3 | Burnley | 32 | 17 | 13 | 2 | 39 | 9 | 30 | 64 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 32 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 49 | 28 | 21 | 62 |
After the Black Cats’ comfortable 2-0 win over Luton Town on Wednesday night, the gap between them and Leeds now stands at seven points, with five between Sunderland and Sheffield United in 2nd.
Leeds boast a formidable home record in the Championship this season: not only are they unbeaten in 14 in the league but they haven’t conceded in six games either, with 41 points taken from a possible 48 at Elland Road this season.
Sunderland meanwhile are 4th in the Championship away table, having picked up 26 points from a possible 48 on the road so far.
Gary Bennett’s verdict on Leeds United vs Sunderland
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle after the win over Luton, Bennett shared his thoughts on Monday’s crunch match in West Yorkshire, highlighting the fact that Sunderland have improved the team since the last time they played Leeds.
Back in October, Sunderland drew 2-2 with Leeds United at the Stadium of Light. Since then, Le Bris has added Enzo Le Fee to the side and has Wilson Isidor bang in form with three goals in his last four games, and 11 for the season.
Bennett said: “Leeds are the best team that we’ve seen at the Stadium of Light. They’re the best team we’ve come up against but I think we’ve developed.
“I think we’re a better team now than when we played them. I think we’re much more of a threat and we’ve got a lot more understanding. Look at the starting eleven… it’s maybe one or two changes here and there.”
Bennett then namechecked Isidor and Le Fee, and also Patrick Roberts, adding: “[Wilson] Isidor is playing with a lot of confidence. [Patrick] Roberts is on the right. You look at the left side and [Enzo] Le Fee’s added that extra quality.”
- READ MORE: Gary Bennett disagrees with Sunderland fans about one player vs Luton Town, says ‘he was excellent’
What Daniel Farke thinks of Sunderland this season
Leeds have a two-time Championship title winning manager at the helm in Daniel Farke. He’s going for a third this season but he’ll be extremely wary of the threat that Sunderland pose.
Speaking before the game in October, Farke hailed Sunderland’s form at the time, saying: “They are in really good shape. They have good players and they are strong on the counter attack. In all their offensive positions, they have players who can score goals.
“They are a really dangerous side. I am respectful of their work but we also know that we are in good shape. We have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance.”
Sunderland have slipped up in recent weeks, notably drawing games against the likes of Plymouth Argyle and Watford. The win against Luton gives them a timely boost ahead of the trip to Leeds, but it’s going to take a monumental effort to win on Monday night.