Leeds United are sitting just above the Premier League relegation zone following Sunday's defeat at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Jamie Carragher believes Sunderland’s remarkable form in the Premier League will put pressure on Daniel Farke and his Leeds United players.

After securing promotion from the Championship last season, the two clubs have experienced contrasting fortunes during the first three months of their return to the top flight. The Black Cats will head into the third international break of the season sitting in the top six of the table after claiming impressive wins against the likes of Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Brentford and there was also a real statement performance as they earned a more than deserved point against leaders Arsenal on Saturday evening.

The season has been more of a struggle for Leeds, who have secured wins against Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United - but will head into the break sitting just one point and two places above the relegation zone after wasting a lead in their visit to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.

Lukas Nmecha had put Farke’s men in front on 13 minutes but an equaliser from Ibrahim Sangare and second-half goals from England duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson condemned the Whites to fifth defeat in their first six away league games of the season. Sky Sports pundit Carragher described Sunderland’s form as a ‘brilliant story for the Premier League’ - but stressed Leeds and Burnley will come under increasing pressure unless their own form can improve.

Tough

Jamie Carragher gave his opinion on what's happening at West Ham. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Jamie Carragher gave his opinion on what's happening at West Ham. | Getty Images

Speaking ahead of the Whites’ defeat at the City Ground, the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports: “Where the pressure will come from is their own supporters, who will be, ‘Why can’t that be us [Sunderland]? It’s not just Sunderland being one of the promoted teams, it’s because they were a long way behind Burnley and Leeds in the Championship last season.

“Looking at Sunderland, it’s a brilliant story for the Premier League, but they [Leeds and Burnley] are probably getting it in the neck from their supporters right now looking at Sunderland because, as we know, promoted teams find things tough, but right now they [Leeds] aren’t in the bottom three and that’s the aim of the game.”

Your next Leeds United read: Nottingham Forest v Leeds United: Team news, score, Nmecha, Sangare & Gibbs-White goals