Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has issued his Leeds United verdict ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has served up Leeds United praise with a Whites admission and “non-negotiables” for Sunday’s Premier League showdown at the Stadium of Light.

Newly-promoted pair Leeds and Sunderland will finally lock horns for the first time this season in Sunday’s 2pm kick-off, ahead of which the impressive Black Cats are still riding high in sixth place.

Leeds finished 24 points ahead of Sunderland en route to sealing promotion as Championship champions last term as the Black Cats finished fourth before ultimately going up too by beating Sheffield United in the play-off final.

Sunderland also took just one point from the season’s two games against Leeds who threw away victory in October’s clash at the Stadium of Light after a freak late own goal gave the hosts a 2-2 draw.

Four months later, more late drama, this time from a late Pascal Struijk brace, gave the Whites a 2-1 victory against the Black Cats at Elland Road that Le Bris now admits effectively caused irreparable damage to his team’s automatic promotion prospects.

Le Bris, though, whose side now sit ten places and eight points above Leeds, has confessed a liking for playing Leeds due to the team’s style of play as part of praise for Farke’s in-form team ahead of Sunday’s 2pm kick-off.

“Some non-negotiable points”

The Sunderland boss says there are “non-negotiables” that his men must adhere too as he personally seeks a first win against the Whites at the third attempt.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Le Bris was asked if that meant wanting to beat Leeds even more and confessed: “Yeah I like playing against Leeds to be fair because they are intense, they have a proactive style of play so it's always a good game, an exciting game.

"After that, we know that some non-negotiable points will be key in this game, especially the intensity, the way we will defend on set pieces for example.

"It's another challenge, especially at home but we are looking forward to it.

"Leeds are in good form at the moment, especially over the last four games.

"They switched into a back five with three midfielders and two forwards and they are going maybe a bit more direct now, especially in key moments.

"They are strong in set pieces, good takers, good delivery, tall, strong physical presence in the box, so they are doing well.

"It's not unusual in this league so we will have a tough challenge at home once again."

Pressed on the drama of two memorable games against the Whites last season, Le Bris reasoned: "It's always a different story but the two games were really good, balanced I think with good moments for both teams.

"The equaliser at the Stadium of Light was really positive for our fans and for us and probably we lost our dynamic for the automatic promotion at Leeds as well so good memories but it will be a new story."