Sunderland Predicted Starting XI For Leeds United Clash After Injury News

Sunderland host Leeds United at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon as Regis Le Bris’ side desperately look to return to winning ways. 

Last weekend, Bournemouth beat Sunderland 2-0 in an abject performance from the Black Cats, in which Kevin Danso was dismissed after just 16 minutes for a grave defensive error, with Le Bris’ side already one goal behind at that point. 

Following the deflating defeat at the Vitality Stadium, Sunderland flew to face Polish champions Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday evening, seeing the Black Cats continue their unbeaten start to the competition with a 1-1 draw. 

On the back of the Poznan draw, and with Sunderland at rock bottom of the Premier League amid their four-game losing streak, it is imperative for Le Bris to get his many selection calls perfect and for those he plays to perform at their absolute best against Daniel Farke’s seventh-placed Leeds side. 

Le Bris made several rotations from the Bournemouth defeat at Poznan, and the Black Cats boss will once again make changes to his Sunderland starting XI in the quest for first Premier League points since the end of August. 

Robin Roefs will start in goal, buoyed by his outstanding performance in Poznan, in which the Dutch international made a stunning double save to ensure Sunderland came away with a point. 

In defence, Danso will be unavailable for the clash due to his suspension following his dismissal at Bournemouth, Le Bris will likely start Trai Hume at right-back, with Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete in central defence and Reinidlo on the left. 

In midfield, the typical trio of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fee will inevitably start, with the latter duo coming on as second half substitutes against Poznan on Thursday.

During the Europa League draw, Habib Diarra made his first start of the season for Sunderland after returning from his hamstring injury and impressed against the Polish champions, with his dynamism and attacking intent having the potential to be useful down the right flank of attack. 

On the left wing, it will be interesting to see whether Le Bris opts for Nilson Angulo or Malick Fofana, but given that the £30.8m summer window signing from Lyon struck the post against Poznan and was inches away from his first Black Cats goal, Fofana did enough to warrant a start on Sunday. 

Up-front, Le Bris will be without Wilson Isidor, who remains injured after suffering a knock in the 2-0 defeat to Brighton, but thankfully will be able to call upon number nine Brian Brobbey once again.

Le Bris explained before the Poznan game that Brobbey is set to return to Sunderland against Leeds and was therefore rested for the Europa League affair, with young forward Timur Tutierov netting the opener with a deft early header in the Dutchman’s absence.

Hopefully, Brobbey’s rejuvenated presence will hopefully be the catalyst for improved potency in the final third from the Black Cats, and see Sunderland take a point or three against Leeds on Sunday in a momentously important clash for Le Bris’ faltering squad.

Sunderland predicted XI vs Leeds United: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Diarra, Fofana, Brobbey