LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Detail of a Leeds Untied emblem ahead of the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road on February 28, 2026 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tickets: Tickets are sold out.
TV/Stream: Full live match coverage is available via TNT Sports.
Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online)
Don’t forget to follow the blow-by-blow account of the game on the Roker Report Twitter feed (@RokerReport) and check out the player ratings after the full-time whistle at www.RokerReport.sbnation.com!
The gaffer’s press conference was short and sweet this week in general, but so was the section about injuries that most of us were waiting for. Le Bris went through the more longer term injuries and hinted at late decisions for a couple of players being required. This could well mean Granit Xhaka.
In an incident that ended up a Bournemouth free-kick at the weekend, Xhaka’s ankle was on the end of a tackle that might have potentially seen red in games officiated by professionals – but this one wasn’t.
We all know how important he is in general, but as Le Bris stated, it was the plan for our midfield trio of Xhaka, Diarra, and Sadiki to be complemented by Le Fee, and we haven’t seen that quartet take to the field enough – so fingers crossed Xhaka is fit for tonight’s game.
The Lads have gone four without a win in a run that takes us back to our win over Burnley at the beginning of February – although I still think of the weekend as a victory because, if I haven’t mentioned it already, we were utterly robbed.
But this is a small part of a run of four wins in nineteen games, and when you add the eight draws in that time, means that would equal a forty-point season. It’s not comparing apples with apples, of course, because six of those nineteen have been against Citeh, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
Anyway, the bigger picture is that we’re three points away from our season target of forty points…
With how the last two seasons have gone in the Premier League, it would have still seemed a minor miracle if we were the only one from the three promoted sides to have given it a real go this season – but Leeds United have also given the top flight a bloody nose so far this season.
They’re currently six points behind us on thirty-one, but it’s a total that still makes them nervous with sides picking up points below them – and a win tonight would allow them to breathe a little easier.
Their current position is even more remarkable considering how they got here. After thirteen games, they have won just three and occupied a relegation place along with Burnley and Wolves. At this point, most other newly promoted sides have simply rolled over and accepted their fate – but not Leeds United this year.
What followed has been a run that has seen just three defeats in the last fifteen Premier League fixtures, which came away to the visitors, and at home to Citeh and Arsenal. However, to provide a bit of optimism to the proceedings, they have also won just one in the last six.
A lot has been made of the atmosphere at Elland Road under the lights – and I for one would much rather be facing them at 12.30 on a Saturday at their place – but will that atmosphere be present for maybe one of the less glamorous opponents this season, and will Farke be a miss on the touchline?
The bookies have the Lads at 29/10 to win the game, while Leeds are priced at 10/11, and the draw is 12/5.
(All competitions)
Sunderland wins: 11Draws: 13Leeds United wins: 25Sunderland goals: 55Leeds Unitedgoals: 81
[Struijk 78’, 90’ – Isidor 32’]
Sunderland: Pickford, Jones, Kone, Djilibodji, van Aanholt, McNair (Denayer), Ndong, Watmore (Love), Pienaar, Defoe (Gooch) Anichebe Substitutes not used: Mika, Manquillo, Khazri, Januzaj
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Firpo (Byram), Gruev (Rothwell), Rodon, Ampadu, Joames, Tanaka (Struijk), Piroe, Aaronson (Joseph), Solomon (Ramazani) Substitutes not used: Darlow, Schmidt, Guilavogui, Gnonto
Attendance: 36,804
My head says we might not take anything, but my heart says we usually pull out a performance and take a point, plus Leeds have drawn eight out of the last fifteen games.
