Leeds play Sunderland today, who are bottom of the table amid their European balancing act

Daniel Farke has shunned the idea that Europe is a realistic target for Leeds United this season, and is fearful about the club earning such a feat too soon after promotion.

Later today, Leeds face Sunderland - who qualified for the Europa League in their first year back in the Premier League but currently find themselves bottom of the table after four successive defeats.

Enthusiasts are tipping Leeds to grab an outside European spot given their summer recruitment and good start to the season; accruing just one loss in their first seven matches. Internally, the club still see survival as the main goal amid a 40-point target. A win on Sunday would see them almost a third of their way to that total already.

Leeds fans have created a chant about getting their passports out for Farke but the German is reigning in such talk. “No, it’s not realistic at all, I would say,” said Farke when asked about Leeds’ European hopes.

“Because in the last 26 or 27 years our best position was ninth in 2020-21. This means we were never in Europe for almost the last three decades and we also have to be very sustainable with our finances.

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“We don’t want to bend the rules, and in the summer we didn’t spend as much as we would have liked on our offensive players.

“We have to develop step by step, so it’s definitely not a realistic target to qualify for Europe. I’m also not sure that it’s healthy if you overachieve so early in your journey as a club.

“But, like Sunderland, if you’re in this position then you would never say no. So it’s always possible and if everything comes together, and you are lucky in a few moments, of course it can happen. And the example of Sunderland proves this.”

Farke added: “In the medium and long term, it’s healthy for the club to have these dreams. You would never say no if it happens because that’s what you’re fighting and playing for – so sometimes you reach unrealistic targets.

“This is why we love football but right now I wouldn’t label European qualification realistic, no.”

Leeds are currently tracking a rate of 1.4 points per game, which - if carried on - would see them finish on 53 points, enough for a European spot last season. Leeds will try and get their second away win of the season without three key players, possibly.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (bruised foot), Anton Stach (foot) and Noah Okafor (adductor) - Leeds’ front three for the past five games - could all miss the game.