Leeds United face a challenging test in their pursuit of promotion with an upcoming match against Championship leaders Sunderland. While Leeds were seen as pre-season favorites for a return to the Premier League, it is Sunderland, under the guidance of Regis Le Bris, who are setting the pace early in the season. Sunderland have won all four of their home matches at the Stadium of Light without conceding a goal, though Leeds are expected to provide their toughest challenge yet.
Le Bris acknowledged Leeds’ promotion potential during his pre-match press conference but noted that his team might be facing them at an opportune time. Leeds have been hit hard by injuries to key players Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, both of whom have been vital to Daniel Farke’s side throughout 2024. This week’s news that both will be out for extended periods is a significant blow to Leeds’ campaign.
The recent 1-1 draw at Norwich City was Leeds’ first league game without Ampadu in the starting lineup since he joined the club in July of last year. Gruev, who would have been a capable replacement in the holding midfield role, also picked up an injury shortly afterward, adding to Leeds’ problems.
Leeds now only have Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as their available senior midfielders. This puts additional pressure on them, not only to avoid injury but to consistently perform at a high level for the next few months. While Tanaka and Rothwell did well in their last outing, there are concerns that this pairing is not as strong as Ampadu and Gruev, who were proven performers in the Championship.
Ampadu’s absence is especially problematic given his impact both with and without the ball. His passing range and defensive instincts were crucial for Leeds, and his ability to read the game made him a key figure in the squad. Leeds’ defensive solidity has been notable this season, with opposition teams only managing 67 touches in their penalty box, a figure significantly lower than other Championship teams.
Looking ahead to the Sunderland match, there are concerns that Leeds’ recent injury troubles will hurt their promotion chances. Sunderland are in fine form and could take advantage of Leeds’ weakened midfield. Although Leeds have been effective in keeping opponents at bay, their current situation could make it difficult to maintain that defensive strength going forward.
In attack, Leeds have shown promise with Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto performing well, but the team hasn’t been scoring many goals. Ramazani, in particular, delivered a top-class finish in the match against Norwich, while Gnonto has started the season impressively. Despite these positives, Sunderland’s momentum could allow them to edge out a narrow victory, especially with Leeds missing key players.
Leave a Reply