Tuesday 3rd March 7:30pm | Elland Road
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris is currently facing an injury crisis ahead of their midweek trip to Elland Road. With just one win in their last six outings, a solitary 3-0 victory over Burnley, Sunderland have slid to the bottom half of the table. However, it is their form away from the Stadium of Light that is most alarming; the Black Cats haven't tasted victory on the road since late October at Stamford Bridge. Given the state of the current squad, ending that drought against Leeds United looks like an uphill battle in a snowstorm.
The fallout from their recent fixtures has turned the medical room into the busiest part of the club. Sunderland walked away from their last match with four fresh injuries, and the prognosis is grim. Romaine Mundle is facing a "difficult" thigh injury that could side-line him until April, while Jocelin Ta Bi’s Premier League debut ended in heartbreak, with a foot injury likely requiring surgery. The hits didn't stop there.
Both Nordi Mukiele and Brian Brobbey were forced off and are expected to miss at least a month with calf and groin issues, respectively. When you add these names to long-term absentees like Reinildo Mandava and the slowly recovering Dennis Cirkin, Le Bris is left with a skeletal squad that will require immense creativity to fill. While Sunderland grapple with injuries, Leeds are dealing with their own brand of drama.
Boss Daniel Farke has been making headlines following his red card after a frustrating defeat to Manchester City. In a candid pre-match press conference, Farke defended his uncharacteristic dismissal. "As a player, my problem was I was one of the slowest strikers in Europe," Farke joked. "This is the first time I am accused of running too quick on the pitch." The Leeds boss insisted he did not swear at referee Peter Bankes but was merely seeking clarification on why time wasn't added for City’s time-wasting.
"I have learned my lesson," Farke added. "I will never jog again on the pitch." Farke also addressed the controversy regarding some fans booing during a break for players observing Ramadan. While he condemned any intentional disrespect as "unacceptable," he suggested the reaction was born out of confusion rather than malice, noting that Elland Road remains a place where different religions and cultures coexist. Leeds appear much better positioned for Tuesday's clash.
Farke expects Joe Rodon to recover from a knock to picked up at the weekend, and while James Justin required stitches after the City game, he is expected to feature. Noah Okafor remains the only notable absentee for the home side. Farke was full of praise for his squad, specifically highlighting James Justin’s "unbelievable" football intelligence and Anton Stach’s dominance in midfield.
Stach, described by Farke as "the complete player," has been one of the signings of the season, providing a creative spark and defensive stability that a depleted Sunderland will struggle to contain. Leeds have turned into the draw specialists in recent times. Daniel Farke will be conscious that his side may need to find another ten points to guarantee survival, but with only two wins in ten, will be fully focused on three points on Tuesday night.
