Leeds United and Daniel Farke will not fall into a trap laid out for them by the early Premier League table.
A tally of 10 points from the opening seven fixtures, with just one defeat, had Leeds in seventh place ahead of the weekend. Sunday's hosts Sunderland have earned just four points in the same period, losing five times. No matter the results elsewhere before the top flight's last game of the weekend, the Black Cats will sit bottom when they kick off against Leeds.
Last weekend's game against Manchester United brought the word 'expectation' to the fore around Elland Road and the longer Leeds stay in and around the top half of the table, the more games they will go into with the favourites tag. But regardless of the two sides' contrasting fortunes in the early days of the 2026/27 Premier League season, Farke insists he is all too aware of the challenge Sunderland will pose on Sunday.
"I know exactly what to expect because they played with similar processes like they did under Régis Le Bris in the last years," he said.
"He brought big success to them with promotion. Also fantastic last season, qualifying for Europe. Of course, second year after promotion is quite often a bit difficult, especially once you have also the additional load from Europe. There were also tight games on Premier League level and it's still early doors, just the seventh game day. I'm pretty sure they won't finish on the position where they are currently in."
Farke's expectation is that Sunderland will be well up for the fight on home soil. "I also expect a team who plays also to their plans and to their DNA and also what they've done over the last seasons. Many teams found it very difficult to travel to the Stadium of Light. And we know also how difficult it is be competitive there. We had good away games over the last seasons. And we want to do the same. But we expect also a Sunderland side who will be highly motivated and will be back to their best."
Some of Sunderland's difficulties this season can be attributed to injury issues and key absentees. Centre-back Dan Ballard has been missing through a hamstring problem. But as Thomas Muenier and Wilson Isidor progress towards returns, the Black Cats have been bolstered by the news that Brian Brobbey is expected to be available for Sunday's clash.
"It seems like important players have also missed out during the last weeks," said Farke. "I'm pretty sure once they come back, they have all chances to shine. But we want to make sure that it's not on Sunday they start to shine again. We want to be successful ourselves.
"[The returning Brobbey] is a handful. And he has proven this on the top level. And I think although he was not available in all the games, he's already on three goals, if I'm not completely wrong. He's also a key player for them with his physicality, with his capability to score goals and to hold the ball. Also quick with running in behind. He's definitely a really good striker and one of their main men in the offence. It's for our defensive players to be aware and to be competitive but also for our midfielders and offensive players to make sure that there's not too much service for him. And team effort is needed to stop some good players."
Whoever turns out to welcome the Whites to Wearside and regardless of what the league table may suggest, Farke believes Leeds' mentality has to be spot on to get what they want from the weekend.
"To win any point in this league, you always have to be on it," he said. "And you always have to be close to be perfect, especially for normal sides - not like the top two. And for that, we are very respectful. So we don't go into the trap and think we are bigger than we are. We are just the second year back on Premier League level. And we fight for each every point."