Leeds United will be eager to return to winning form when they travel to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this Friday evening in a crucial Championship clash. Both teams have their sights set on climbing to the top of the standings, with the Black Cats currently holding the top spot. However, Leeds can overtake them with a victory by two or more goals.
Sunderland enjoyed a strong start to their campaign, but recent signs of vulnerability appeared following back-to-back away defeats. Despite these struggles on the road, Regis Le Bris’s side has been formidable at home, securing four consecutive home victories without conceding a single goal. This resilience on home turf will make for an intriguing battle against a determined Leeds side.
Sunderland vs Leeds United Team News & Tactics
Sunderland
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Mundle
Leeds United
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph
Key Stats
- Sunderland won 1-0 against Leeds United at the Stadium of Light last season, their first home win over Leeds since December 1963.
- Since defeating Sunderland 3-2 on Boxing Day 2004, Leeds have only scored three goals in their last seven encounters with the Black Cats (W1 D2 L4), failing to score in both meetings during the 2023-24 season.
- Sunderland have won six of their first eight Championship matches this season (L2), marking their best start to a second-tier campaign since 1963-64, when they finished 2nd and earned promotion.
- Largie Ramazani has contributed to at least one goal in all three of his Championship starts for Leeds this season, tallying 2 goals and 1 assist, including goals in both of his away starts at Cardiff and Norwich.
- Leeds have won four of their last six league games played on a Friday (D1 L1). Their only Friday fixture this season resulted in a 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday, though their last Friday clash against Sunderland ended in a 1-0 defeat at Elland Road in September 2004.
Player to Watch
Wilfried Gnonto
Prediction
Sunderland 2-1 Leeds United
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