'They can struggle' — Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris makes Leeds United gap declaration with Whites doubt view — YEP 16/2/25
By Lee Sobot
Sunderland are heading for Monday night’s clash at Elland
Road sat seven points behind the Whites.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has made a Leeds United gap
declaration ahead of Monday night’s showdown at Elland Road with a 12-game
reminder.
Sheffield United, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland have pulled
clear in the division’s automatic promotion race which is now led by Chris
Wilder’s Blades following Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Luton Town.
Sheffield United’s triumph saw Leeds drop to second but just
one point behind the Blades and with Monday night’s hosting of Sunderland now
acting as a game in hand.
After a goalless draw for third-placed Burnley in Saturday’s
lunchtime kick-off at Preston North End, a Leeds win would also establish a new
seven-point cushion in the division’s automatic promotion places back to the
third-placed Clarets.
Victory for Daniel Farke’s side would also kick Leeds ten
points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland who are heading to Elland Road seven
points behind their hosts.
Le Bris, though, whose side could close to within four
points of Leeds with an away win, insists Monday night’s clash will not be
defining for either side and that Leeds were no certainties to keep up their
“stable” form in the 12-game run-in.
Pressed on facing a direct promotion rival and whether that
added more importance to the clash, Le Bris reasoned: "Yes, sure, because
if we lose the gap will be more important.
"But at the same time we can't expect anything because
the dynamics are still unpredictable.
"So far they were very stable but they can struggle as
well.