Sunderland and Leeds United face off in a pivotal clash that could impact both of their promotion hopes this season
Leeds United have picked up their levels of performances of late and are now within touching distance of the top of the EFL Championship standings ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Daniel Farke’s squad struggled with injuries at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign. But the ability to make use of a more-or-less consistent first XI has worked wonders. Leeds have won six of their last seven Championship games and have turned a corner since upsetting Leicester City.
Sunderland are a potent side on their day but the lack of consistency has impacted their chances of pushing for an automatic promotion spot. Mike Dodds’s side are neck deep in the battle royale for a playoff spot and can give their chances a massive boost by upsetting the Yorkshire giants on Tuesday.
The new manager bounce will certainly be on show at the Stadium of Light, and the visitors will need to be on their toes. Farke and co. certainly have momentum on their hands, and it should prove to be an intriguing contest.
Given the players on his roster, Farke will be aiming for a top two finish to ensure automatic promotion. A win away to Sunderland will certainly aid in that cause, and it will come as a surprise if the visitors turn up without three points in their sights. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how these two sides will line up and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Sunderland
Mike Dodds is unlikely to change his winning formula that earned Sunderland all three points against West Bromwich Albion. Apart from the injured trio of Dennis Cirkin, Jay Matete and Jewison Bennette, the Black Cats have a fully fit squad of players available for the game.
With a 4-1-4-1 formation likely, Anthony Patterson should start in goal behind the back four of Niall Huggins, Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume, Luke O’Nien and Dan Neil. The quartet will need to be on their toes to keep Leeds’s frontline away from their goal and from running into space.
Pierre Ekwah should hold the fort in the middle of the park, freeing up the quartet of Abdoullah Ba, Adil Aouchiche, Dan Neil and Jack Clarke to push further upfield. Clarke is once again likely to be Sunderland’s inspiration in attack given his tenacity to set up goalscoring opportunities this season.
Mason Burstow should get the nod over Jobe Bellingham to lead the line and will hope to catch the Leeds backline napping.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Patterson; Huggins, Ballard, Hume, O’Nien; Ekwah; Ba, Aouchiche, Neil, Clarke; Burstow
Leeds United
With several players now back available, Daniel Farke has choices when it comes to rotating his squad. Liam Cooper is likely to once again be handed a spot on the bench with the trio of Djed Spence, Wilfried Gnonto and Jaidon Anthony all pushing for a starting XI spot.
Leeds have both strength in depth and the ability to field their best team while brimming with positive momentum. The Whites are well placed to challenge both Leicester City and Ipswich Town for a top two spot in the coming weeks.
Farke is likely to retain his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, with Illan Meslier in goal. Liverpool target Archie Gray should continue at right-back with the trio of Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Sam Byram completing the backline.
Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara should retain their spots as the double pivot, holding the fort for Daniel James, Joel Piroe and Crysencio Summerville to get forward and pass the ball upfield. Georginio Rutter should get the nod over Patrick Bamford and will hope to aid Leeds’s charge up the table as the season takes shape.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Ampadu, Kamara; James, Piroe, Summerville; Rutter.
Key Stats
- This is the first meeting between both clubs since 2018.
- Leeds United have won eight of their last ten visits to the Stadium of Light, with the last coming in 2017.
- A win on the night will see Sunderland secure consecutive wins in the Championship for the first time since October.
- A win on the night will see Leeds United win four consecutive league games for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign.
- Sunderland star Jakc Clarke has created 44 goalscoring opportunities from open play this season, more than any other player in the Championship.
Player to Watch
Joel Piroe
The Leeds attacker has been a driving force since arriving at Elland Road in the summer. A return of eight goals and one assist in 20 league games is a fantastic return and the 24-year-old who is thriving in the number 10’s role.
Piroe will once again look to get into pockets and create space for both himself and his teammates. With Georginio Rutter looking to play off the shoulder of his marker, it will not come as a surprise should the Leeds number seven make a few defence splitting passes on the night.
Prediction
Sunderland 1-2 Leeds United
While Sunderland do have home support and are coming off a win against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, Leeds United have the upper hand when it comes to quality in the playing squad.
Daniel Farke’s men have match-winners in their squad, and these stars are very well capable of turning the tide in the visitors’ favour. While Leeds are unlikely to run away with the game, they will be expected to come away with all three points on the night.