After drawing with Manchester United, Leeds United next face Sunderland on the weekend, and Daniel Farke’s record against the Black Cats is woeful. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s record, however, isn’t.

Leeds have made a superb start to the season. So much so that Micah Richards predicts Leeds will finish in the top half of the table. After seven games, Leeds have 10 points: two wins, four draws, one defeat.

Calvert-Lewin netted his fifth goal of the season in all competitions on Sunday as Leeds drew with Man United at Elland Road. The wait for a win against their bitter rivals goes on; they last won at home in 2002.

Daniel Farke’s poor record against Sunderland after eight games

As bogey teams go, Sunderland seem to get right into Farke’s head. Last season, the two sides drew 1-1 at the Stadium of Light, before Leeds suffered a harsh 1-0 defeat at Elland Road in the reverse fixture.

This time around, Leeds are a much better side. Sunderland, meanwhile, are struggling to cope with the added factor of European football after qualifying for continental competition at the end of last season.

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Farke has faced Sunderland six times as Leeds manager. They were promoted from the Championship alongside Leeds, but in those six matches, Leeds have only won once. Pascal Struijk scored a late brace.

He also faced Sunderland twice as Norwich manager, but he failed to win as Canaries boss either. The German has won just once in eight games against Sunderland, drawing four times and losing three.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Sunderland record will give Farke hope

On the other hand, Calvert-Lewin’s record against Sunderland – on a personal level – is impressive. He has faced Sunderland three times in his career, once with Leeds and twice while contracted to Everton.

Calvert-Lewin scored Leeds’ only goal against Sunderland last season, and twice in a Carabao Cup game for Everton. He might have only won once in three games, but he averages a goal a game against them.

With Calvert-Lewin on fire, scoring five goals already this season, Farke will be hopeful. Indeed, Calvert-Lewin and Raphinha are the most efficient goalscorers in Europe’s top-five leagues at the moment.

On top of that, Calvert-Lewin is Leeds’ quickest top-flight striker to reach 20 goals since Mark Viduka. If Calvert-Lewin can continue his form against Sunderland, Farke can end his Black Cats hoodoo.