OPPOSITION VIEW: LEEDS

With Sunderland heading to Elland Road tonight against another team who got promoted last season and have exceded expectations, we spoke to Stuart Rayner of the Yorkshire Post about their campaign and how the game might go.

15th in the Premier League after 28 games, how is the season going for Leeds United?

Very well, I would say. Given the way the last two seasons have panned out, I think the bar for expectations was set pretty low, and just staying in the division was the aim. Leeds briefly dropped into the relegation zone in November/December but have had their head above water for almost all of the season.

Like Sunderland, their home record has been a source of great pride, and they are still involved in the FA Cup.

At times you feel it could have been better still, but no one can seriously turn their noses up at three defeats in the last 15 games - including Arsenal and Liverpool twice and Manchester City, Aston Villa and Chelsea once each - which is top-half form in that time.

Are fans still looking over their shoulders wary of relegation, or are they more confident that Leeds will avoid the drop?

I think there are bound to be the odd jitter until the job is done but with West Ham United's recent revival still not having lifted them in the bottom three and Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur stuck in the mud, they are getting fewer and fewer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on 10 goals, and scored against us in the reverse fixture. How has he done in his first season for LUFC?

Very well. Never mind 10 goals, 20 starts is more than anyone would have banked on when he joined on a free transfer! It is more than just his goals, it is the outlet he gives Leeds because he is so good in the air. Thomas Tuchel will have to give him serious consideration as a plan B for England at the World Cup, and I do not believe anyone was seriously expecting him to even be in the German's thinking when Everton let him go last season.

How did the club fare in the January window?

Not brilliantly. Despite Calvert-Lewin's impact, Daniel Farke wanted the extra attacking firepower he failed to get in August and once more the club was unable to deliver. Importantly, though, Farke kept his toys in the pram and made the most of what he has got.

The only player Leeds did sign was Argentinian playmaker Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion and it is fair to say that so far he has been a disappointment - 24 minutes of Premier League football (plus stoppage time) tells you that.

How does Leeds' home form compare to their away record?

With only one away win all season, Leeds would be in the relegation zone if they did not play at Elland Road. But Manchester City's tight 1-0 on Saturday was only the fourth away win at Elland Road in 2025-26. Spurs, Villa and Arsenal are the only other teams to win there, and only the Gunners did it comfortably. City are the only away side to win there in an evening kick-off in three seasons of Farke. Leeds have won 20 out of 25.

Thoughts on Daniel Farke at this point?

I think he is an excellent manager, but it must be said not all Leeds fans ae quite as sold on him. He has a reputation for being slow with substitutions and for playing overly-conservative football. After two relegations in his previous two Premier League seasons, with Norwich City, I do not think he felt he was going to get very far playing expansive football against better players. He came into the winter characterised as tactically inflexible but has well and truly put that to bed, and has been more pro-active with his subs too. Playing more positive football, especially when 1-0 up, is the next box he will have to tick in Leeds' development but it is a step-by-step process.

Which Sunderland player worries you the most for this game?

To be honest, I would not say Leeds have anything to fear going into a home match against Sunderland at the moment but Granit Xhaka's injury highlighted his importance, and the home midfield will have to keep a lid on him after being made to run around a lot by Man City's passmasters on Saturday evening.

What's your score prediction? Who will get the goals?

2-0 to Leeds. Calvert-Lewin and maybe Pascal Struijk, or Jaka Bijol if he plays.

Finally, where do you think both sides will finish this year?

Fairly close together in lower mid-table. Leeds have only got Manchester United, Brentford and Bournemouth to tick off of the current top-half teams, and only the Cherries away. With their six-point headstart but a tough run-in, Sunderland might just finish higher.