Sunderland v Leeds: Okafor a doubt as visitors seek first top-flight win at Stadium of Light since 2002

Leeds United forward Noah Okafor is a fitness doubt for Sunday’s trip to Sunderland, where the visitors have not won a top-flight match since 2002.

Leeds are seventh in the Premier League with 10 points from seven games, following a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Elland Road. Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead before Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised.

That result means four of Leeds’ past six league matches have ended in draws.

Sunderland sit 20th with four points from seven games. They have won once in the league and lost their past four matches, most recently a 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth. They drew with Lech Poznan in the Europa League in midweek.

Team news

Calvert-Lewin has scored in six successive Premier League matches and has five goals in all competitions, but is a doubt because of a bruised foot.

Leeds have also listed Okafor and Anton Stach as doubts, while Joe Rodon is unavailable. Okafor played in the draw with Manchester United on 18 October, but whether he starts at Sunderland will depend on a late fitness assessment.

Sunderland are expected to welcome back Brian Brobbey after a hamstring problem. Brobbey is their leading scorer this season with three goals.

The home side will be without defender Kevin Danso, who was sent off against Bournemouth, while Dan Ballard is injured.

Head-to-head

Leeds have won 41 of the clubs’ meetings, compared with 36 victories for Sunderland.

Their most recent top-flight win at the Stadium of Light came in 2002, when a 16-year-old James Milner became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Okafor’s international future

Okafor was born and brought up in Binningen, Switzerland, and has Igbo heritage through his Nigerian father.

He opted to represent Switzerland rather than Nigeria, making his international debut in 2019 and earning 26 caps. However, he said on Instagram on 10 September that he would not play for Switzerland while Murat Yakin remained head coach.

Leeds’ recent results suggest they are difficult to beat but have struggled to convert draws into victories. Sunderland, meanwhile, need to improve their home results if they are to move away from the bottom three.

Both teams also have concerns in attack, while Sunderland are missing defensive options. That could make the opening goal particularly important, with the side scoring first potentially able to dictate a cautious contest.

Leeds’ long wait for a league win at this ground is another reason not to rely solely on the league table.

Leeds arrive in the stronger form, but Sunderland’s home advantage and the 24-year gap since the visitors’ last top-flight victory at the Stadium of Light point towards a closely fought match. A draw appears the most likely outcome.