Sunderland will host Leeds United on Friday evening, with both teams eyeing the top spot in the Championship standings. While Sunderland currently holds the position, Leeds has the opportunity to overtake them with a victory by a two-goal margin at the Stadium of Light.
Match Preview
Sunderland, under the guidance of manager Régis Le Bris, have seen a dip in their away form, having lost their last two games on the road. Despite this, their home performances have been nothing short of remarkable. The Black Cats have secured four consecutive home wins without conceding a single goal, showcasing their defensive solidity.
In their most recent outing, Sunderland secured a 2-0 victory over Derby County on Tuesday night, with Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor finding the back of the net on either side of half-time. Le Bris' side boasts the best attack in the league, having scored 16 goals, with no individual player scoring more than three goals. Romaine Mundle leads the team with three, but a total of 10 players have contributed to their goal tally.
Although Sunderland lacks a standout striker, Le Bris will be encouraged by the number of players contributing in the attacking third, making them a versatile threat.
Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke, have had a mixed start to the 2024-25 campaign, though they’ve only suffered one loss in their eight matches, which came against Burnley. While four of their games ended in victories with clean sheets, three draws have kept them in fourth place.
Leeds fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Norwich City, Farke’s former club, in their midweek clash. Joel Piroe leads Leeds' scoring chart with just three goals, but the team has managed to collect 13 points from their last six games, suggesting they are beginning to find their rhythm as a unit.
