Farke: Sunderland's position at the bottom is false

Sunderland are in a false position at the bottom of the Premier League, so says Leeds United boss Daniel Farke.

Leeds visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday, with Sunderland sitting bottom of the pile.

Sunderland have won just four points in seven Premier League games this term (W1 D1 L5), their lowest at this stage of a league season since 2016-17, when they had two points and eventually finished bottom.

According to Opta's expected points model, however, Sunderland should be in 15th. They are approximately four points worse off than their underlying metrics would suggest.

Sunderland have made a positive start to their Europa League campaign, taking seven points from their opening three games, and Farke anticipates a stern challenge.

"I know exactly what to expect. I'm pretty sure they won't finish in the position in which they currently are. I expect them to play to their DNA and their plan," he said.

"We expect a Sunderland side who will be highly motivated and back to their best. But we want to make sure that we will be successful ourselves."

Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted for Leeds in the corresponding fixture last season, though the England international is a doubt due to a bruised foot.

Since November 29 last year, only Erling Haaland (21) has more Premier League goals than Calvert-Lewin (17), who has the best conversion rate of the 52 players to have 40+ shots in that time (24.6%).

However, Farke feels Lukas Nmecha is more than capable of stepping up, if required.

"For a back-up striker, I think Lukas Nmecha has scored seven goals. Bayern Munich would be happy if a back-up for Harry Kane scored seven goals. I think it's a really good record," he said.

"Lukas is similar in strength to Dominic. He is capable of scoring goals sometimes out of nothing. I trust them both. I can trust Lukas if he comes in or starts. I totally back my strikers to do the job."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sunderland – Brian Brobbey

Brobbey has been out in recent weeks due to a hamstring injury he sustained while on international duty with the Netherlands.

He is Sunderland's leading scorer in the league this term, though all three of his goals came against Manchester City last month.

Leeds United – James Trafford

No goalkeeper has made more saves in the Premier League this season than Trafford (26), while the Leeds shot-stopper has the best save percentage (80%) of any goalkeeper to play more than once this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Sunderland won 1-0 against Leeds in their most recent Premier League meeting, last beating the Whites consecutively in the league in 2006-07.

In the top flight, they last managed it with wins separated by 10 years in April 1947 and April 1957.

Leeds have only lost on one of their last eight top-flight visits to Sunderland (W6 D1), losing 2-0 in November 2001.

No side has drawn more Premier League games than Leeds in 2026 (13), while it’s their most in the league in a year since 2015 (15 in 46 Championship games). It’s the Whites’ highest share of league games drawn in a single year in their history (13/27 – 48%).

Sunderland have lost their last four Premier League games, last having a longer losing run in December 2015 (five). All four of their defeats have been by a margin of two goals, last losing more in a row by that margin or greater in the league in September 1930 (five).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sunderland - 38.5%

Draw - 26.5%

Leeds United - 35%