AliousRegis Le Bris faces a daunting task as he prepares Sunderland for one of their toughest challenges of the season—taking on a dominant Leeds United side at Elland Road on Monday night. Leeds, one of the most formidable teams the Championship has seen in years, are in sensational form, making this a massive test for the Black Cats.
With Daniel Farke at the helm, Leeds are on a relentless march toward promotion and could even break the all-time Championship points record. The Yorkshire giants have gone 14 league matches unbeaten, showcasing their strength with a commanding 4-0 victory over Watford in their last outing. However, Sunderland have been holding their own in the race for the top spots. Sitting fourth in the table and just seven points behind Leeds, the Black Cats head into this clash with confidence after a solid 2-0 win over Luton Town. Their previous meeting with Leeds at the Stadium of Light ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, proving that Le Bris’ side is more than capable of making life difficult for their high-flying opponents.
### **Sunderland Team and Injury News Ahead of Leeds Clash**
Le Bris delivered some welcome news in his pre-match press conference, confirming that both Romaine Mundle and Alan Browne will return to the squad after long injury lay-offs. Mundle has been sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Browne suffered a leg fracture before the turn of the year. While their return is a major boost, it’s expected that both players will start on the bench as they work their way back to full match fitness.
Meanwhile, Jenson Seelt and Ahmed Abdullahi have been making strides in their recovery, recently impressing for Sunderland’s U21 side. However, they are still considered short of first-team readiness and are unlikely to feature at Elland Road. Tommy Watson remains about a week away from making his return to action.
### **Predicted Sunderland Lineup vs Leeds United**
Le Bris may opt to stick with the same starting XI that delivered a convincing win against Luton. However, he has a key decision to make at center-back. Dan Ballard replaced Chris Mepham in the previous game, and while Ballard offers more physicality, Mepham’s composure and ability to deal with quick, technical attackers could see him recalled to partner Luke O’Nien in central defense.
Another potential change could come in midfield. Chris Rigg, who has been a revelation in his breakthrough season, appeared fatigued against Luton. Some fans believe the youngster could benefit from a rest, which might lead to a tactical reshuffle. If Rigg is benched, Jobe Bellingham could be pushed into a more advanced role, with Salis Abdul Samed slotting into a deeper midfield partnership alongside Dan Neil.
Le Bris must also decide whether to deploy a lone striker or pair two forwards up front. In recent matches, he has favored a single-striker setup, which allows for an impact substitution later in the game. Given the intensity of Leeds’ pressing game, Sunderland may opt for a cautious approach before unleashing fresh attacking options in the second half.
Projected Sunderland XI vs Leeds United**
– **Goalkeeper**: Patterson
– **Defenders**: Cirkin, O’Nien, Mepham, Hume
– **Midfielders**: Salis, Neil, Le Fee, Bellingham
– **Forwards**: Roberts, Isidor
This lineup provides defensive stability while maintaining creativity and attacking flair, crucial in what promises to be a high-intensity battle at Elland Road.
Alious
