Saturday’s Premier League news

SUNDERLAND BOSS REGIS LE BRIS RELISHING ‘INTENSE’ LEEDS CLASH

SUNDERLAND: Regis Le Bris is raring to face an “intense” Leeds side when the two teams meet at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Both sides earned promotion from the Sky Bet Championship last season and eight points separate them in the Premier League as they approach the halfway stage of the campaign, with Leeds entering the contest unbeaten in their last four outings.

Looking ahead to the game, Le Bris said: “I like playing against Leeds because they are intense, they play a proactive style of play, so it’s always a good game and an exciting game.

“After that, we know that some non-negotiable points will be key in this game, especially the intensity, the way we’ll defend on set-pieces, for example. It’s another challenge, especially at home, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Both Championship meetings were decided with late goals as an Illan Meslier mistake in the final seconds allowed Sunderland to snatch a 2-2 draw in October 2024, while Pascal Struijk scored in stoppage-time to clinch a 2-1 win for Leeds in the reverse fixture at Elland Road and Le Bris insisted Sunday will be “a new story”.

“It’s always a different story, but the two games were really good, balanced with good moments for each team,” he said.

“The equaliser was really positive for our fans and for us, and probably we lost our dynamic for the automatic promotion at Leeds. So good memories, but I repeat, this will be a new story.”

Asked if he expects more late drama against Leeds this season, Le Bris said: “We don’t know, but we’ll see. If it’s a positive outcome at the end we’ll enjoy, for sure. It wasn’t the case away last season!”

NO TRAINING FOR PALACE AMIDST HECTIC RUN

CRYSTAL PALACE: Oliver Glasner said there has been no training for his Crystal Palace side as they struggle for “rhythm” during an unusually hectic schedule.

Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat away to Arsenal was Palace’s third match in five days and their commitments are not about to ease with Tottenham to come at home on Sunday then Fulham on New Year’s Day.

It has been a difficult period results wise too with three Premier League defeats in five as well as disappointing cup results domestically – exiting on penalties against the Gunners – and in Europe where they failed to beat Finnish minnows KuPS.

“Since November 22 we play every third day,” said Glasner. “We’ve had no training sessions. It makes it difficult, especially for players who are not in the rhythm. We could see (against Arsenal).

“Players who are not getting many minutes, especially when you are a young player, it’s not the perfect situation. But there is no other solution.

“If you have three games in five days, you just play and rest, preparing on the screen. Now when we meet, you think we can have a high-intensity session? It’s just not possible, because two days later we play again.”

The game against Fulham begins another whirlwind spell of four matches played between January 1 and 10, which incudes the start of their FA Cup defence away to non-league Macclesfield.

“We have four games in nine days with travel in between so it’s resting, resting, resting,” said Glasner. “The best thing is to win your games because then you get confidence.”