Sunderland sit bottom of Premier League with four points as they host Leeds United

Sunderland sit bottom of the Premier League with just four points from seven games as they host Leeds United at the Stadium of Light. Both clubs returned to the top flight last season and comfortably avoided relegation, but Sunderland’s superb start in the Europa League has diverted attention from the league. Three of Sunderland’s seven league fixtures have been against teams in the current top three, leaving little cause for alarm despite the low tally. Leeds have begun the 2026‑27 campaign in a similar vein and cannot afford to assume any points will come easily. This is only the third Premier League meeting between the sides since 2002, highlighting how rarely they have shared the top flight. Sunderland line up in a 4‑2‑3‑1: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, O’Nien, Mandava; Xhaka, Sadiki; Nilson Angulo, Rigg, Le Fee; Brobbey, with Ellborg, Methalie, Talbi, Alderete, Diarra, Ahoka, Fofana, Juan Angulo and Tutierov on the bench. Leeds adopt a 3‑4‑2‑1: Trafford; Justin, Bijol, Muharemovic; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Wilson, Aaronson; Calvert‑Lewin, supported by subs Zetterer, Longstaff, Nmecha, Stach, Okafor, Bahoya, Bard, Gruev and Cresswell. Daniel Harris provides live minute‑by‑minute coverage of the action. ## Context The Europa League is UEFA’s secondary club competition, running alongside domestic leagues and often stretching squad resources. Early‑season league slips are common for teams juggling European fixtures, especially when most of their early matches are against the strongest clubs.