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In other Championship news today:
This is the first Leeds game since Friday’s statement condemning the anti-Palestine chant aimed at Israel international Manor Solomon. A reminder of that statement:
Leeds United again condemn the football chant containing an anti-Palestine lyric aimed at Manor Solomon, having already done so in December.
Hate crime and discriminatory language or chanting is not acceptable at Leeds United and the club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
The club has received a large number of complaints from Leeds United supporters regarding the chant and had hoped the initial strategy of condemning it through the media and working with supporter groups, would prevent this from happening in the future, but it has sadly become more prominent in recent matches, including at Elland Road.
After monitoring the situation at recent home games, the origins of the chant at Elland Road appear to come from the Norman Hunter South Stand, particularly in blocks FA5, FA6, SS5, SS6. As a result, there will be an increased CCTV surveillance and stewarding presence.
This is a nice piece by Louise Taylor on Enzo Le Fée, who was a protege of the Sunderland manager, Regis Le Bris, at Lorient.
Team news!
Leeds: Meslier, Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Tanaka, Gruev, James, Aaronson, Solomon, Piroe.
Subs: Darlow, Byram, Schmidt, Struijk, Rothwell, Guilavogui, Ramazani, Gnonto, Fernandez.
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee, Isidor.
Subs: Moore, Browne, Mayenda, Mundle, Abdul Samed, Mepham, Aleksic, Hjelde, Poveda-Ocampo.
Preamble
Elland Road under the lights. Second v fourth. Tonight’s Championship offering between two-promotion chasing sides, Leeds United and Sunderland is an absolute belter.
Leeds are on an absolute tear at the minute, winning five of their last six in the Championship (the other result a 0-0 draw away at Burnley). In those six matches they have scored 18 goals, averaging three a game, and conceded none. This is an important period for every club but with this feels particularly important for Leeds as they look to pull clear of the chasing pack for automatic promotion, with Burnley drawing 0-0 at Preston on Saturday. This is the first of three tough matches for the Yorkshire club, with Sheffield United (away) a week from today, followed by West Brom at home.
Sunderland are unbeaten in the league in 2025, but their form has recently flickered between wins and draws and second-placed Leeds are now in a commanding position. This feels like a crucial chance to reel in the top two.
The Black Cats have the youngest squad in the Championship littered with talent, particularly Jobe Bellingham, top scorer Wilson Isidor and Enzo Le Fée. The latter two both scored in Sunderland’s last outing, a 2-0 win over Luton. Patrick Roberts, a relative veteran at 28, has also been outstanding.
This one should be a cracker. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT.
