Leeds vs Sunderland prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-04-08 19:00.
[p]Leeds United’s first Championship defeat since December saw them relinquish control of their destiny in the race for promotion. The Whites sat one point adrift of the top two heading into this round after a 15-match unbeaten run in the league (W13, D2) was ended by Coventry on Saturday, though they should be confident of responding against Sunderland.[/p]
[p]That’s largely due to this game taking place on home soil at Elland Road, where nine consecutive Championship wins means that Leeds still haven’t lost a league game at home all season (W16, D4). It should set manager Daniel Farke up to banish some personal demons, for the Leeds head coach has never beaten the Black Cats in three previous attempts (D1, L2) after a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture that forms part of a poor recent H2H record for Leeds (W1, D1, L4).[/p]
[p]Sunderland may be one of the few sides in the division who don’t dread the trip to Elland Road having avoided defeat on their last four visits (W3, D1). Interim head coach Mike Dodds will be looking to leverage that record to get some consistency into his side after praising their “positive reaction” to a thumping against Blackburn, which was in the form of a goalless draw against Bristol City.[/p]
[p]Realistically, the most the Black Cats can salvage from this campaign is a top-half finish, and it’s easy to see why their aspirations aren’t any higher when analysing their away form. Even after winning their last road trip (2-0 in Cardiff), Sunderland have accumulated just 20 points this term on their travels, with only sides occupying places in the bottom six registering lower such totals.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: After coming off the bench and having a hand in goals in consecutive matches, JoĂ«l Piroe may well be in line for a start here and looking for his first strike at Elland Road since January. Ex-Leeds man Jack Clarke starred on his return from injury at the weekend – despite his long injury lay-off, only four players have scored more than his 15 in the Championship this season.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Sunderland have conceded first in 24 Championship games this season – only Rotherham (25) have done so more often.[/p]