Sunderland host Leeds United at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, looking to move away from the bottom of the Premier League standings and end a difficult run of results.
The Black Cats head into the game having lost four straight Premier League matches, a sequence that has left them sitting at the foot of the table. Their defensive problems have been particularly damaging, with 11 goals conceded across those four defeats.
Those results included a 2-0 loss to Arsenal, a 5-3 defeat against Manchester City, and further 2-0 setbacks against Brighton and Bournemouth. Sunderland did at least show some fight in Europe, drawing 1-1 away to Lech Poznań in the Europa League, and Regis Le Bris will want his players to bring that same determination back to league action.
Sunderland team news
Sunderland have several important concerns ahead of Leeds’ visit. Striker Brian Brobbey sat out the midweek European trip to Poland because of a hamstring problem, but he has trained throughout the week and could feature depending on a late fitness decision.
At the back, Kevin Danso is unavailable after receiving a one-match ban for his red card in the defeat to Bournemouth. That should open the door for Omar Alderete to partner Luke O’Nien in central defence.
Dan Ballard and Thomas Meunier are both dealing with hamstring injuries and will need to pass late assessments if they are to be involved. Meanwhile, winger Romaine Mundle remains out with a serious knee injury and is not close to a return.
Le Bris therefore has to find the right balance between rebuilding a dependable defence and keeping enough attacking threat on the pitch to trouble Leeds.
Sunderland predicted lineup
Possible Sunderland starting XI: Roefs; Mukiele, O’Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka; Hume, Diarra, Le Fee; Brobbey
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 5:30pm BST on Sunday, 25th October.
How to watch Sunderland vs Leeds?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
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