Sunderland have a daunting trip to Yorkshire on their hands as they go head-to-head with Leeds United in a Championship six-pointer on Monday night.
Regis Le Bris’ side are still within touching distance of the top spot in the Championship table, but if they are to keep their faint title hopes alive, they will need to defeat Leeds.
As things stand, Sunderland are fourth in the table, three points behind Burnley, seven away from Leeds, and eight off the league leaders, Sheffield United.
Le Bris will need to get everything right to get the win, but according to former Leeds defender Dominic Matteo, the Black Cats will not be able to handle the Yorkshire club.
Dominic Matteo claims Leeds United are too good for Sunderland
Speaking to LUTV about the upcoming fixture, Matteo said: “No one has got to grips with what we do because our players are so good. Sunderland have got some talented players, they will have a game plan like every team that comes to Elland Road.
“But I think with our fans and the players we have got, we’ve got nothing to fear; it’s them who should be fearing a little bit because of the way we’re playing. We cannot be arrogant with that, we have got to make sure that we perform. They will have to have a little go [at us] but if we were to score early, that changes everything.”
Matteo believes Leeds have improved as the season has progressed, especially in attack, and that Sunderland have to be wary of the forward players in the Whites’ squad.
He added: “There was a time when we were not getting early goals, we were not taking our chances; [it] feels like we are now so I think Sunderland have got a real problem with the way we play. We have got a team full of confidence and Sunderland, they have not lost many games, so it has got the ingredients for a top, top game.
“But if we win this game, I think we go into the next game against Sheffield United with so much confidence.”
Sunderland have to go all-out vs Leeds – they’ve got nothing to lose
There’s no doubting Leeds are a formidable attacking outfit, but the worst thing Sunderland could do is try to park the bus and invite Daniel Farke’s side onto them at Elland Road.
No, if Sunderland want to get anything from the game, they should go toe-for-toe with Leeds and try to pile the pressure on with their own attacking talents. It worked for Alex Neil and Millwall, so why can’t it work for the Black Cats?
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 33 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 47 | 23 | 24 | 70 |
| 2 |  LeedsLeeds | 32 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 66 | 19 | 47 | 69 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 33 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 39 | 9 | 30 | 65 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 32 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 49 | 28 | 21 | 62 |
| 5 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 33 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 51 |
| 6 |  West BromWest Brom | 33 | 11 | 15 | 7 | 42 | 31 | 11 | 48 |
Hopefully, Le Bris takes some risks here and doesn’t go with the safe options like Salis Abdul Samed as a holding midfielder. The Frenchman would do far better to set up with attacking intent, and let the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Enzo Le Fee, and Wilson Isidor flourish.
Either way, no one is really expecting Sunderland to take anything from this game, so there’s really nothing to lose for Le Bris.