'Empty-handed', 'Need a reaction' - Chris Sutton & Alan Shearer disagree on Sunderland vs Leeds United predictions

Chris Sutton expects a ‘battle-hardened’ Leeds United side to avoid defeat at Sunderland this weekend.

Leeds head to the Stadium of Light on Sunday in what looks like another good opportunity to build on an impressive start to the season. Hosts Sunderland are currently bottom of the Premier League with four points, losing 2-0 at previously winless Bournemouth last weekend before a 1-1 Europa League draw at Lech Poznan on Thursday.

The Whites could be without a trio of key players, however, with Farke revealing on Friday that Dominic Calvert-Lewin (foot), Anton Stach (foot) and Noah Okafor (adductor) had all missed training sessions. All three are major doubts for Sunday’s trip with a good chance to Leeds attacking unit looks completely different to last weekend.

Sutton wrote in his BBC Sport predictions column: “The Black Cats are bottom of the table after losing four league games in a row and their boss Regis le Bris has a few problems to solve. One of them is having European football that stretches their squad - they were away in Poland on Thursday - but at least they will have striker Brian Brobbey back from injury at the weekend.

“After last weekend's loss at Bournemouth, Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele suggested the Black Cats may have become "arrogant", but I don't see that outburst being as damaging as the ones by Manchester United players recently. Still, things like that are better kept inside the dressing room because some of Mukiele's team-mates will be asking him if he was calling them arrogant.

“Maybe we will see a reaction from Sunderland here, but I still don't see them winning this because Leeds are battle-hardened and are a good team too. They weren't at their best against Manchester United but still picked up a point, and they won't be leaving the Stadium of Light empty-handed. Sutton's prediction: 1-1.”

One positive for Leeds is their preparation time, with Farke’s side focused on Sunderland all week while the Black Cats had European commitments. Regis Le Bris’ side played in Poland on Thursday night but were able to rotate out a few key players, while the injured Brian Brobbey is expected to return this weekend.

“Sunderland are struggling, one reason is because of Europe, and one reason is because they haven't got Brian Brobbey in there, he's been out injured,” former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer told Betfair. “I don't know whether he'll be back at the weekend.

“It's no surprise, I said that they'll struggle this season because of the size of the squad that they've got. One of the players came out and criticised their performance and their hunger last weekend.

“But again, they'll need a reaction. I'm not sure they'll get it. I mean, the Leeds fans will come up in their thousands. So, I'm going to go away win Leeds.”