Preview: Leeds United v Sunderland – Team news, how to watch, prediction, lineups
Leeds United will hope to take a step closer to Championship promotion when they face Sunderland on Monday evening.
Leeds host the Black Cats at Elland Road on 17 February on the back of a 4-0 demolition of Watford on Tuesday (11 February).
Daniel Farke‘s side’s gap at the top of the second tier was expanded to five points following that win but is back at two points after Sheffield United beat Middlesbrough the following day.
With third-placed Burnley in a local derby with Preston (15 February), the Whites will be hoping to increase their stranglehold on Premier League football for next season.
Preview
The hosts showed no signs of allowing the FA Cup fourth-round exit to Millwall to slow down their push for promotion as they brushed the Hornets aside with ease.
Farke’s side have won five of their last six league matches, with the draw at Burnley being the only blemish on a flawless recent record.
They have scored 13 goals in their last five matches, including a 7-0 victory over Cardiff City on 1 February.
The visitors have not lost in their last eight league games, meanwhile, with five victories and three draws since the 1-0 loss to Stoke City (11 January).
Regis Le Bris’ side have scored ten goals in their last five matches, so it should be a very close contest as both sides are capable of threatening.
Sunderland are in fourth place, just two points behind the Clarets, so a victory could take them into the top three depending on results elsewhere.
Championship Form Guide
Leeds: WWWDWW
Sunderland: WDWDWW
Head to Head
Sunderland 2-2 Leeds (October 2024)
Leeds 0-0 Sunderland (April 2024)
Sunderland 1-0 Leeds (December 2023)
Leeds 1-1 Sunderland (April 2018)
Sunderland 0-2 Leeds (August 2017)
Sunderland 1-0 Leeds (January 2015)
Team news
The hosts are expected to have a full squad at their disposal apart from veteran striker Patrick Bamford.
Farke may very well name an unchanged starting line-up from the victory on Tuesday, with Dan James expected to play a starring role again, but Pascal Struijk may feature from the start this time.
Wilfried Gnonto could also replace Brenden Aaronson if the manager decides to change up the starting line-up.
The visitors are without Ajibola Alese, Niall Huggins, Tom Watson and Jayden Danns for the contest, but Romaine Mundle may be back to play some part in the contest.
Wilson Isidor is expected to lead the line for Le Bris’ side as they seek to overcome the Championship frontrunners.
Predicted lineups
Leeds: Meslier, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo, Ampadu, Tanaka, James, Gnonto, Solomon, Piroe
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Mepham, Cirkin, Samed, Jobe, Neil, Le Fee, Roberts, Isidor
How to watch
The contest at Elland Road will be screened on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels, with kick-off at 8pm on Monday (17 February).
Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Sunderland
The Whites should have too much for Sunderland on this occasion, despite Sunderland‘s great run of form recently.
Farke’s side can make a real statement to their promotion rivals with victory on Monday evening by beating a team that are pushing for an automatic spot.
The Elland Road crowd will be expecting them to do so and they have the firepower to outscore their opponents and the defence to keep them quiet.