Championship | Gameweek 33

Feb 17, 2025 at 8pm UK

Elland Road

Leeds vs Sunderland

Match preview

Leeds ran out 4-0 winners over Watford last Tuesday, a game in which they limited the Hornets to just two shots on target, while creating four good chances and 16 clearances.

Despite failing to find the back of the net against Millwall on 8 February, the hosts have found the back of the net 13 times in four games and their record of 66 Championship goals is at least 15 more than any other side in the division.

It is also worth noting that Daniel Farke's men have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games.

Leeds are currently on course for 99 points in the current Championship season, which would be the seventh-highest tally in the history of the second tier.

The Peacocks' form heading into Monday's game has been largely excellent, with the club having won 11 of their last 16 games and only losing once in that time.

Farke's men are unbeaten in 13 Championship home games, winning 12 and drawing one, and have won their last three by a combined score of 12-0.

Opponents Sunderland had just two shots on target against Luton, but they struggled to create chances in the final third, creating just one big chance.

To their credit, the visitors have scored nine goals in four games, but they have also conceded six times in that time.

The Black Cats came away with a point from the reverse fixture against Leeds on 4 October when they drew 2-2, but only managed a point thanks to Junior Firpo's 97th-minute own goal.

Regis Le Bris' side are likely to finish the season in one of the four promotion play-off places, 15 points clear of seventh-placed Coventry City, but a win on Monday would keep their automatic promotion hopes alive, with a four-point gap to the Peacocks capable of being overturned in their final 13 games.

Sunderland have been in mixed form, losing one, drawing three and winning three of their last seven games, although they have won three of their last five.

Le Bris's side have won their last two away games, but have won just three, drawn five and lost two of their last 10 on the road.

Recent Performance

Leeds United Championship form:WWDWWW

Leeds United form (all competitions):WDWWLW

Sunderland Championship form:DWDWDW

Team News

Leeds will be without defender Maximilian Wober, who is not expected to return until the end of June.

Perhaps Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu could join full-back Firpo at the back, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier stationed behind them.

Elsewhere, with striker Patrick Bamford sidelined by a hamstring injury, the likes of Dan James, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon are likely to support striker Joel Piroe.

Sunderland will be without defenders Ajibola Alese and Niall Huggins, so expect Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard, Luke O'Nien and Dennis Cirkin to start at the back.

Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns is out until the end of March, while winger Romaine Mundle has a hamstring injury and Tom Watson could be sidelined for a few days.

If Watson is ruled out, Patrick Roberts, Chris Rigg and Enzo Le Fee are all likely to start behind striker Wilson Isidor.

Possible starting lineup

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee; Isidor