Alious### **Le Bris Outlines Sunderland’s Plan to Stifle High-Flying Leeds**
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has a clear strategy in mind for Monday night’s daunting trip to Elland Road, where his side will attempt to halt Championship leaders Leeds United. However, executing that plan against one of the division’s most in-form teams is an entirely different challenge.
Currently sitting fourth in the table, Sunderland remain in the mix for automatic promotion, but defeat against Leeds could see them fall ten points behind their title-chasing rivals. Adding to the difficulty, Leeds are in red-hot form, having won three consecutive matches and kept six successive clean sheets in the Championship.
The challenge for Sunderland will be to strike the right balance—playing to their own strengths while also disrupting Leeds’ rhythm. With Manor Solomon, Dan James, and Joel Piroe running riot in a 4-0 thrashing of Watford last Tuesday, the Black Cats must be particularly wary of Leeds’ blistering starts. No team in the league has scored more goals in the opening 30 minutes of matches this season, with James’ early brace at Vicarage Road pushing that tally to 31.
### **Le Bris Highlights the Key to Stopping Leeds**
Speaking ahead of the game, Le Bris stressed the importance of avoiding naivety while also ensuring Sunderland play their own game.
“We have to focus on what we do best,” he said. “We know Leeds are a major threat and can be extremely dangerous. If we’re not careful, they will punish us. But at the same time, if we don’t play at our best, it won’t matter.”
Sunderland have proven themselves capable of competing with the league’s top sides, having taken four points off Burnley, beaten Sheffield United, and done the double over Middlesbrough. They also secured a 1-1 draw against Leeds in October, though that result owed much to a last-minute howler from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Le Bris acknowledged that the game could hinge on Sunderland’s ability to withstand Leeds’ trademark fast starts.
“We’ve performed well away from home against top teams, and we have qualities that suit this type of matchup. But we can’t afford to let them dictate the game. At the same time, if we don’t ask questions of their defense, we’ll have regrets.”
### **Avoiding the Same Mistakes**
Leeds have been relentless in recent weeks, netting 13 goals in their last three league outings, including a seven-goal demolition of Cardiff City. The Whites have made a habit of racing into early leads, going 2-0 up against Cardiff in 13 minutes and repeating the feat against Coventry within 26 minutes. Even in their last encounter with Sunderland, Joel Piroe found the net before the half-hour mark.
Le Bris knows his side must be more disciplined than they were at the Stadium of Light, where Junior Firpo’s goal came from a rapid Leeds counterattack.
“This is an exciting challenge—just three points on the table, but a great test of our limits,” Le Bris said. “We can still improve when facing top opposition, and this will be a fascinating challenge.
“We started well against Leeds at home, but after that, our pressing wasn’t effective for a long spell. We had to adjust our structure, and we improved. But they have so many direct attacking threats, and when they find space, they’re ruthless on the counter. That’s what led to their second goal.”
As Sunderland prepare to step into the cauldron of Elland Road, their ability to absorb early pressure and impose their own style of play will determine whether they can stay within touching distance of the automatic promotion places—or watch Leeds extend their grip on the top of the table.
Alious
