Leeds travel to Wearside this weekend looking to stretch the unbeaten run to five games.
Sunderland and Regis Le Bris await Daniel Farke, sitting comfortably in sixth place with 27 points after a superb start to the season while Leeds are 16th with 19 points, despite winning the Championship last term as the Black Cats went up via the play-offs.
Le Bris failed to beat Leeds last season, but has now shared why he actually likes playing the Whites.
Regis Le Bris excited to welcome “proactive” Leeds United to the Stadium of Light
As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, the Frenchman said whilst speaking in his press conference: “I like playing against them, to be fair. They are intensive, proactive, so it’s always a good and exciting game. Intensity and the need to defend set-pieces are non-negotiable. So it’s another challenge at home but we are looking forward to it.
“We feel our fans at home and the opponents can feel the challenge. They can feel we are strong at home.”
Would you make any changes for Sunderland? 🤔
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When asked about the threat of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has incredibly scored six goals in his last five Premier League appearances, Le Bris was quite dismissive of the question as he discussed why Leeds are more than just one player.
The 50-year-old added: “Leeds are in good form at the moment, especially over the last four games. They switch into a 3-5-2, going maybe a little direct in key moments. Strong from set pieces, good delivery with a strong physical presence in the box. It’s a tough challenge but that is not unusual in this league.”
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Le Bris is clearly aware of the 3-5-2 shape Farke has started using since the second half away at Manchester City, so it will be interesting to see if the German switches back to a 4-3-3 to throw the Sunderland boss off track.
Leeds United will need to do something no other Premier League side has this season to conquer Sunderland
The numbers behind this fixture will be sure to concern Leeds fans.
Six points clear of the bottom three – Leeds can start to relax… can’t they? 😤
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No side in the Premier League has managed to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light so far this season, with Le Bris overseeing five wins and three draws from eight games on Wearside.
Furthermore, Leeds have one of the worst away records in the entire division, winning just once outside of Elland Road this term when defeating the feeble Wolves 3-1 at Molineux.
Other than that, Leeds have endured six defeats and one draw away from home, so Farke will need to do something special to take all three points this Sunday.
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