'Another week means another draw for Leeds'published at 18:09 GMT
18:09 GMT
Media caption,
Leeds United made it another week unbeaten with a hard-fought point away at Sunderland, but are fans losing sight of the bigger picture?
Drawing on insights from former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, fan Lewis Deighton explores why Leeds' organisation, resilience and Premier League progress may matter more than a growing tally of draws.
Plus, are the Whites genuine outsiders for Europe, or is mid-table a successful season?
Listen above to hear from Beckford and Deighton or on BBC Sounds
'Draws aren't that bad' - Leeds' attacking numbers analysedpublished at 08:40 GMT
08:40 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United's attacking numbers show the side "are actually mid-table", says BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan.
In the latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the team broke down what is going wrong for Daniel Farke's attack and why it is resulting in so many draws - five in eight Premier League matches so far this season.
Buchan said: "In the Premier League for xG this season they sit in 13th - 10.5 is their xG. Shots on target per 90, they sit in 12th with four on average. Big chances, they sit 14th and have created 16 big chances.
"Accurate passes per-match, they sit 17th in the Premier League - 77.8 per cent completion rate on accurate passes.
"Defensively, they're in the top six for all of those stats. But all of those other stats show that Leeds are actually mid-table when it comes to the top of the field.
"Is that just the reality of it? That they're in the position they're in now because they managed to get a couple of decent results and they're on a decent run?"
Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix added: "If you offered most Leeds fans every game is going to be 0-0 from now until the end of the season so we'd get another 30 points, would you take it? And everybody would be like 'yeah, fine'.
🎧Tactical genius?published at 14:21 GMT 26 October
14:21 GMT 26 October
A new episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.
Leeds United are seventh in the Premier League after a 0-0 draw up at Sunderland. Jonny Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix analyse the game, discuss the role of Harry Wilson and ask if Daniel Farke is a tactical genius.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Sunderland 0-0 Leeds - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:51 GMT 26 October
11:51 GMT 26 October
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Leeds.
Here are some of your comments:
Sunderland fans
Denise: The windy conditions was never going to allow this to be a classic game of football. We kept focused, dealt better with the conditions but yet again it was a missed opportunity of maximum points.
Jura: Never has our eighth league game of the season been so significant. Losing this game would have been disastrous. We very much needed a win but a draw considering the conditions wasn't the end of the world.
Stephen: Brobbey is still a little rusty but he still demonstrated why we've missed him. I was pleased with our performance despite only a draw. I'm more confident than I was last week that we'll get through this dark period.
Leeds fans
Robert: Weather was the winner. Could have been a good game, but being honest, it was not. Another point gained towards safety.
Wayne: Fair result when you take the weather conditions into account but Leeds were a bit unlucky at the end.
Eric: We were not the only team to play in less than favourable weather conditions so let's forget the excuses. Week in, week out we have the same problems, poor distribution, poor passing, a yard slower than the opposition and second best to the 50-50 balls. Against Sunderland we were just not physical enough.
Ian: With the Windy conditions, you would have expected a confident team to pass along the floor rather than hooking it into the air. Still, on a positive note another clean sheet. We may be difficult to beat but we could do with a win. Bournemouth next week, but they will be confident after thrashing Manchester United.
'We did enough to win' - Traffordpublished at 09:33 GMT 26 October
09:33 GMT 26 October
Media caption,
Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford believes his side should have beaten Sunderland after playing out a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, the England international said: "Quite disappointed. We wanted the win. We believe we should've and could've won. And that's just every day we try to improve to try and win these types of games.
"It was a tough game but we felt we did enough to win and on another day we do win."
Sunderland 0-0 Leeds: What Farke and Trafford saidpublished at 19:06 GMT 25 October
19:06 GMT 25 October
Daniel Farke spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Leeds United's draw against Sunderland: "The conditions we a big part, it is fair to say that was wasn't a nice piece of football but its also difficult in these conditions when you don't know the curve of the ball.
"It is easy to play proper football on the nice Sunday, when the sun is shining but, these types of games are important and you have to adapt and accept the conditions. You have to adapt the fight, there is lots of fights for second ball and long balls and you have to show lots of skill and we did this today.
"A clean sheet is always a good outcome for us. In possession you could see a bit that we had a difficult training week when key players in offence are absent. I need to give praise to my lads, we a different game today. We have created a very honest team and we have to adapt. I like another clean sheet and how we looked defensively.
"It is never easy for a team but we handled this occasion really well. On a good day we can be better."
On Harry Wilson: It is difficult for players when he wasn't in the starting line up for a while and then you think you go out and shine and then come into such a difficult away game, it is not easy in these conditions. These moments for these players to adapt to the location and to show fight and to have the first 55-60 minutes. Right now it is important that he plays his part and grinds out a result.:
James Trafford spoke to Sky Sports: "The wind was obvious extremely windy, the conditions were a bit mad to be honest. It was one of those games where both teams were fighting and we had some chances at the end."
On how he managed the conditions: "I just had to try and hit the ball a bit flatter, but the wind was all over the place, sometimes it went long and it held up. It was mad but it was the same for me and [Robin] Roefs."
On keeping his clean sheet: "I am obviously pleased and it it a product of trying to win every day. The more days you win the better chance and position it puts you in to play well, so I just try and win the day."
On what it is like playing for Leeds: "I have really enjoyed playing week-in and week-out and it's amazing playing for Leeds and feeling the love from the lads, I am enjoying it and so is everyone else."
On the next steps for Leeds: "We need to score more and concede less. We are trying every day to improve that."
Leeds United have played out the joint-most draws of any team in the Premier League in 2026 (14 – level with Brentford), while their five nil-nil draws are the outright most this year.
James Trafford has the highest save percentage of any goalkeeper in the Premier League this season (82%), as well as ranking second for overall saves made (30), after Hull's Konstantinos Tzolakis (31).
Analysis: Trafford impresses againpublished at 18:43 GMT 25 October
18:43 GMT 25 October
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Image source, PA Media
Leeds' defensive record is one of the best in the Premier League this season, helped by James Trafford making an assured start to his career at Elland Road after joining from Manchester City in August.
Only champions Arsenal (five) have conceded fewer goals than Daniel Farke's side (six) after eight games.
By the same stage of last season, when Leeds were a newly promoted club, they had let in 13 goals.
Until a late Leeds flurry, Trafford was the busier of the two goalkeepers as he registered his third league clean sheet of the campaign.
While solid in the defensive half of the field, Leeds did not do enough to breach Sunderland's backline and their tally of nine Premier League goals is the joint-lowest among clubs in the top half of the table.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Sunderland match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Sutton's predictions: Sunderland v Leeds Unitedpublished at 11:15 GMT 25 October
11:15 GMT 25 October
Sunderland have killed me this season because I just don't seem to be able to predict them at all.
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.
I was never arrogant as a player, by the way, but people used to call me far worse than that in my day.
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.
Sunderland v Leeds United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:37 BST 24 October
13:37 BST 24 October
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Struggling Sunderland face a tricky test against a Leeds United side that have made themselves very hard to beat. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Sunday's game at the Stadium of Light.
Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland only need to look at Leeds for an example of how to turn around a poor start to a Premier League season. Daniel Farke's position became precarious after the Whites accrued only 11 points from their opening 13 matches of 2025-26.
A now famous tactical tweak in defeat by Manchester City proved to be the catalyst that has since turned them into one of the top flight's hardest teams to beat, with only six losses in 32 matches since.
The Black Cats have dropped to the foot of the table after earning just four points from seven games, their lowest tally at this stage of a league season since 2016-17, when they had two and went on to finish bottom.
Having had the misfortune to face Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton, hopes were high a fixture against winless Bournemouth would be the perfect tonic. But a calamitous afternoon ended in a flattering 2-0 defeat and meant that they had been beaten in four successive league matches by a two-goal margin. The last time they lost five league games in a row by two or more goals was 96 years ago.
The Cherries recorded their highest xG in a Premier League match of 4.32, mustering 29 shots against an error-ridden backline that never looked comfortable and had Kevin Danso sent off after just 17 minutes.
"It's always a different player every time [making mistakes], so it is hard to fix," said boss Regis le Bris afterwards.
Last season, they had the fourth-best defence in the top flight and conceded just 1.26 goals per game, but that has rocketed to 2.0 per match, with only Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town letting in more.
Leeds looking to turn draws into victories
A draw with Manchester United is not normally to be sniffed at, but such is Leeds' confidence and form they were left frustrated they didn't secure all three points against their bitter rivals.
While being hard to beat is obviously a huge positive, turning one point into three is something that will be top of Farke's to-do list. His team have drawn 13 of their 27 league fixtures in 2026, the most of any top-flight side.
One man they have certainly been able to rely on is in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. His equaliser against Manchester United was his 17th top-flight strike since 29 November last year, a tally only Manchester City's Erling Haaland can beat. However, Farke said on Friday Calvert-Lewin is a doubt for Sunday with a bruised foot.
Leeds have another chance to shed their Super Sunday curse - in eight attempts, they have never won a Premier League game in the prime 16:.30 slot.
In another quirk, their draw with Manchester United extended their winless run in games that have kicked off before 15:00 to 21, the longest such streak in the Premier League.
Good job, then, that the Whites have come alive at night, with an incredible 49% of their points over the past two seasons earned from games at 20:00 or later.
Farke on Calvert-Lewin injury, Nmecha record and facing Sunderland published at 15:08 BST 23 October
15:08 BST 23 October
Ella Gibbs BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against at Sunderland at Stadium of Light (kick-off 16:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Farke confirmed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who suffered an injury during the Manchester United game, is "struggling with a bruise on his foot", adding: "Still a question mark behind his availability. He's an important player, it's not a muscle injury where you have to be extra careful. It's just a painful injury and if he can handle the pain more or less then everything will be okay."
The Whites boss also confirmed Joe Rodon is still "doing his rehab work", while Anton Stach also has a foot problem and is a doubt, alongside Noah Okafor: "If the game would be today, all three wouldn't be available. They've missed many training sessions during this week. Good positive news is we still have today and we will try to make them available."
On forward Dan James' fitness, Farke said he had his first full training game and is in contention for selection against Sunderland.
The Leeds head coach feels the players had "not exceeded expectations because I always expect a clean sheet - I wanted seven clean sheets on the board, it was not to be".
On Lukas Nmecha's record: "For a back up striker, I think Lukas Nmecha has scored seven goals. Bayern Munich would be happy if a back up for Harry Kane scored seven goals. I think it's a really good record.
He added: "Lukas is similar in strength to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Physicality and work load is quite good. He is capable to score goals sometimes out of nothing. I trust them both. I can trust Lukas if he comes in or starts. I totally back my strikers to do the job."
Discussing summer signing Harry Wilson, who has featured mostly from the bench so far this season, Farke said the winger is "taking the right steps", adding: "[He is] top class, top teammate. He came with an attitude of 'I want to adapt, I want to work'. I'm convinced in the end it will be right because he has taken the right steps. In the end you will always get out of football what you put in."
On facing bottom-of-the-table Sunderland: "I know exactly what to expect. I'm pretty sure they won't finish in the position in which they currently are. I expect them to play to their DNA and their plan. We expect also a Sunderland side who will be highly motivated and back to their best. But we want to make sure that we will be successful ourselves."
🎧 Leeds head to Stadium of Lightpublished at 12:27 BST 23 October
12:27 BST 23 October
A new episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.
Leeds United are back on the road with a trip to Sunderland on Sunday (16:30 GMT). Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope preview the game and ask if the Whites can punish the struggling Black Cats.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
And you can listen to full match commentary of Sunderland v Leeds with Pope and former United defender Jon Newsome on Sunday on BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Sounds if you're in the UK.
Leeds 'want revenge' against Sunderland - Gudmundssonpublished at 10:28 BST 23 October
10:28 BST 23 October
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson says the team are feeling "confident" and "physically strong" after their impressive start to the season.
The Whites sit seventh after seven games and have lost just once in the Premier League so far. The 27-year-old left-back missed the first two matches of the campaign with a hamstring injury but believes he is back to his best.
"I'm feeling good," he told BBC Radio Leeds.
"I got some games in the international break as well which was important for me. I'm happy to be back, and now I've been playing for some time already which feels good. Not just me, the team has been doing some good performances really so it is just building on that.
"Expectations from last season going into this season were higher. People outside are now expecting us to get points from every game. We know it is very tough in this league but we feel good, are confident at the moment, and are physically strong.
"It's keeping building on what we did last season. We had some good lads come in over the summer to help us and it is about building step-by-step. We are in a good path. We had two tough games lately, but also that we feel a little bit disappointed to not win against these top teams shows the ambition we have."
Leeds travel to bottom club Sunderland on Sunday, looking to improve on their results from this fixture last term. Despite Daniel Farke's side impressing by staying up and finishing 14th, they drew away 1-1 and lost 1-0 at home against the Black Cats - who outshone their fellow promoted side by finishing seventh and securing European football.
"Sunderland away is always difficult and we know that we have to be strong," Gudmundsson added.
"It's going to be a challenge, but also we definitely want to have revenge from last time we were there.
"We were the better team and should have won that game, so you really want to go there and get something out of it this weekend. That will be massive for us going into Bournemouth the weekend after which is another really tough away game."
'We go into every game thinking we can win'published at 08:03 BST 21 October
08:03 BST 21 October
Media caption,
Leeds United's start to the season has been "exceptional", says BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope.
On the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix reflected on Leeds position - seventh - in the Premier League table.
Pope said: "If you had told me looking at the fixtures that there would be only one defeat in the first seven then I'd take that, I really would. It's an excellent return.
"They have been right in every game - they were in most games last year - but to have one defeat in the Premier League so far with not the biggest squad is exceptional."
Rix added: "We just look very well-equipped this season for the Premier League. I think loads and loads of injuries would upset things, but we go into every game thinking we can win."
Watch a clip from the latest episode above or listen to it in full on BBC Sounds here
Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix said: "Farke had a great first season in the Premier League but it wasn't necessarily going to go how it's gone and actually, we can all sit back now and be like it wasn't a fluke.
"Obviously the first bit of the last season wasn't brilliant, it was the second half where he really shone and he's continued that form. The signings we've made in the summer have continued to improve the team so we're sure we're not going to need to change managers in December, so let's get this deal done before it runs out.
"Daniel won't be in a rush, he's a sensible guy. For me, he backs himself so maybe coming off the back of a 14th place Premier League finish and semi-final of FA Cup, he could lay down some pretty decent demands wages-wise.
"But then I think now he's seventh in the Premier League, still in the FA Cup, then maybe his demands can be even higher."
A new episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is available to listen to and download now on BBC Sounds.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix reflect on Leeds United's draw with Manchester United on Sunday and analyse some individual performances, and they also discuss news of a possible new deal on the horizon for manager Daniel Farke.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Ian: Not at our best today, quality in the final third is lacking, but we will finish comfortably in mid-table this season, which is the aim. While I am disappointed that we didn't get a home win, I'll take a point against a dangerous team.
Stuart: Controlled most of the game and could have had a penalty. Of course, Man Utd produced their best performance of the season, playing Leeds at the home of football. It's their cup final.
Graham: Compared to how they played against Arsenal last week, this was a poor performance pretty much all round. Passing at times was abysmal, tackling weak, and too much time spent going backwards. Defence was sound, the midfield uncreative and the forwards lacking precision. Improvements are needed for the next game.
Man Utd fans
Adnan: Slightly better in terms of organisation and balance. Still not potent enough in attacking areas to create chances and take control of games, which in turn creates more pressure on a susceptible defence.
Bob: It's a measure of where we are as a club that a draw against Leeds is seen as some sort of progress. Carrick is doing the best he can with a very mediocre and threadbare squad. The press need to look where the fans are looking, and it's not at the manager.
Kevin: Man Utd will get ripped sideways in Champions League games. They will deliver mid-table this season. At best, lack of European football next season will determine whether Carrick has a future or not. I agree with Lisandro Martinez, problems lie much deeper and much greater. When will these be addressed?
Yousef: Manchester United's flatlining display against Leeds United further highlights a team devoid of rhythm and identity under Michael Carrick. The decision to tuck Amad Diallo into a restrictive, defensive role completely starved the frontline of creativity, while Bruno Fernandes' ongoing struggle to control matches is becoming a serious tactical issue. Three consecutive Premier League draws and just one win in seven games prove that individual moments from players like Bryan Mbeumo cannot mask a disjointed, fragile system that completely fades under pressure.
Leeds 1-1 Man Utd: What Farke and Calvert-Lewin saidpublished at 17:33 BST 18 October
17:33 BST 18 October
Media caption,
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It says a lot about what we've done in the last few years that we're disappointed. We were the dominant side today.
"But United are very dangerous, and it was not necessary to be losing at half-time, but they have the quality to score goals in one moment. Second half, good start and we scored the goal. Strikes were too often over the bar or too far away, which kept us from capitalising more. A good point and we move on.
"Overall, we delivered a good performance. You always have to be switched on to not concede a counter. It's fair to say we don't have the best individual quality in the league, and you have to accept that sometimes, but also, overall, we brought ourselves into many good situations. Missing a bit of quality to the top teams in this league.
"The first half I thought we were the better side, and we didn't have much to speak about at half-time.
"Difficult to compare, but sometimes you have to take a risk."
On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "No one else wanted him, but we always believed in him and believed he would deliver. He plays with good confidence and rhythm. He always comes to training with a smile on his face, and it's a great group to work with. I think he enjoys it. He has belief right now, and you can see that with what he's doing on the pitch."
Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, speaking to Sky Sports about what was said at half-time: "More so, just be more confident in possession and choices when to cross and when to keep the ball. I think it [the change] was down to that.
"They tried to [match us formation-wise]. Not really surprised. Given what happened last season. It took us a little bit to adjust, but it was mainly down to us and maybe a lack of quality in the final third.
"I just tried to cause a ruckus. I just make it difficult for the defender. I read the flight of the ball and was quickest to react.
"I feel really comfortable. I feel the support from the club and the fans, and it is a great feeling stepping onto the pitch, particularly at Elland Road."
Did you know?
Leeds United are now unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches against Manchester United (W1 D2), their joint-longest unbeaten run against the Red Devils in the competition along with a run of three between September 1994 and December 1995.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 12 goals at Elland Road in the Premier League for Leeds United, with only Erling Haaland (19) and Igor Thiago (14) scoring more home goals in the competition since his first home match for the club.
Listen to more from Farke on BBC Sounds, or listen to Noah Okafor below or on BBC Sounds
Leeds maintain early-season confidencepublished at 17:08 BST 18 October
17:08 BST 18 October
Harry Poole BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
For the first time since September 2002, Leeds sat ahead of Manchester United in the table heading into a Premier League meeting of the teams.
While their impressive five-game unbeaten start was ended by Arsenal last weekend, the nature of the performance ensured the hosts' confidence remained high before one of the club's most eagerly anticipated matches of the season.
That was reflected in their superior possession and territory as they attempted to take the game to Manchester United, although they struggled to create clear-cut chances until Tarik Muharemovic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin combined to level the contest.
The goal was the combative Calvert-Lewin's seventh in his latest seven matches at Elland Road - and his fourth goal in seven league games this term.
Daniel Farke's side ultimately could not find a winning goal to deliver a first victory over Manchester United at Elland Road since 2002 for their fans.
But the foundations for a season of significant progress are in place, and they extended their unbeaten home league run to eight games - their longest such stretch since December 2001.
