It is a season and yet another campaign drawing towards a disappointing close for Leeds United fans – the latest in an increasingly longer line.
It was a season that started positively for the Whites who glowed and hit the top of the table early on. Poor form and poorer results saw this all drop away and they enter today’s game against Sunderland at Elland Road in 13th place.
For the visiting Black Cats it is a worse season piled on top of another one as they stare the very real possibility of relegation from the Championship into League One as a second serving following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
Three points for the home side, coupled with a win for Birmingham City over bottom side Burton Albion could leave the Black Cats 11 points adrift of safety with just 15 points to play for. Here’s the Leeds side who will attempts to take all three points at Elland Road this afternoon.
Leeds United team news
📋 | Your #LUFC Starting XI presented by @Ladbrokes:
Peacock-Farrell, Berardi, Jansson, O'Connor, Dallas, Phillips, Vieira, Alioski, Hernandez, Saiz, Lasogga pic.twitter.com/r7zqg0JSNg
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 7, 2018
Big news is that Paul Heckingbottom has brought in Irish youngster Paudie O’Connor for his first game at the heart of Leeds’ defensive line; here he will partner Swedish international Pontus Jansson. On the bench two other youngsters feature with Tom Pearce and Callum Nicell also featuring and hoping to get on the pitch.
Up top, Pierre-Michel Lasogga is favoured over Caleb Ekuban, the Ghanaian dropping to the bench. The third change made by Paul Heckingbottom is enforced through injury with Kalvin Phillips replacing Eunan O’Kane.
Here’s what Leeds United fans think of today’s line-up ahead of the game against a relegation-haunted side in Sunderland.
Leeds United fans react to team news vs Sunderland
Go on O’Connor lad 💪🏻
— Batesy (@BatesyLufc) April 7, 2018
A magician
— LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS (@Jannsonisgod) April 7, 2018
Nice O’Connor is getting a chance. Good luck to Nicell on the bench too. Shame Dalby isn’t in the squad though.
— Tom Holynski (@ThommHol) April 7, 2018
Happy for Nicell, Pearce and O’Connor but not happy with them still flogging the Grot train again. Get one of the other kids there instead, Dalby or Edmondson. Why not?
— Russ Cowling (@Russlufc) April 7, 2018
Tell you what, although Ekuban’s been poor. I think it’s disgusting and poor from PH to leave him out! Pretty much backed him in the week and said the players love him. Should keep playing him to boost his confidence. Poor management
— Matt Hill (@MattyHill83) April 7, 2018
Pretty much all players that are still standing
— richard hunt (@fleetwhite) April 7, 2018
