Daniel Farke shares ‘remarkable’ Sunderland verdict ahead of Leeds United showdown
Daniel Farke has had nothing but good to say about Sunderland ahead of the clash with Leeds on Sunday.
Sunderland welcome Leeds to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, looking to top off what has been an excellent year for the Black Cats.
Darren Bent’s European hopes for Sunderland appear on course, and the Wearsiders could take one step closer to achieving that with three points against the Whites.
Ahead of this weekend’s encounter, Farke was quizzed on what the Black Cats have achieved, and the Leeds boss was full of praise.
Farke ‘not surprised’ by what Sunderland have done.
Sunderland were favourites for relegation this season, but after an excellent summer window and an even better start to the season, those fears have now been eradicated.
Instead, the Wearsiders are looking to push higher up the table, knowing that a win against Leeds could see them finish 2025 inside the top four of the Premier League.
Leeds have found some form of their own in recent weeks, with their latest win over Crystal Palaceopening up a six-point gap at the bottom of the Premier League.
Farke deserves credit for how he’s handled recent fixtures, but ahead of Sunday’s game, it was Sunderland that he piled the praise on.
In his press conference on Tuesday, he said: “Not surprised [by Sunderland’s recent form], but it’s definitely remarkable what they’ve done. They were one of the best Championship sides last season.”
“They had really good recruitment in the summer, and my gut feeling was also that they wouldn’t need to change their style of play too much in comparison to the Championship, because even there they were always compact and there were quick transitions and quick attacks.
“So, for that, I would have backed them even before they would play a really good season.”
Sunderland out to achieve 23-year first vs Leeds
Quite remarkably, when taking into account the size of both clubs, this will be the first meeting inside the top flight since December 2002.
Leeds United secured a 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light that day, with Michael Poctor on the scoresheet for the Black Cats.
In the reverse fixture, Jason McAteer scored in a 1-0 win for Sunderland, which was the last time the Wearsiders beat Leeds in a Premier League encounter.
Regis Le Bris’ side are yet to lose a game at the Stadium of Light this season, while the Whites have won just once on their travels.
It will be an exciting fixture to end the year, and one that Sunderland should be seeing out with another three points.
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