Sunderland vs Leeds prediction, betting tips and odds: Black Cats can remain at the summit

Where to watch Sunderland vs Leeds

You can watch Sunderland vs Leeds in the Championship at 8pm on Friday, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Match prediction & best bet

Sunderland
2pts 11-5 Hills

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Sunderland vs Leeds odds

Sunderland 11-5
Leeds 13-10
Draw 12-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Sunderland vs Leeds predictions

Sunderland regained top spot in the Championship with a 2-0 home victory over Derby on Tuesday night and the Black Cats can ensure at least another two weeks at the summit by defeating Leeds at the Stadium of Light.

Last season was a disappointing one for the Black Cats, who finished 16th having made the playoffs the season before.

They struggled for consistency throughout the campaign and sustained 11 home league defeats – more than any team in the division.

An overhaul was required and it has been brought about by the arrival of French head coach Regis Le Bris this summer.

Le Bris has swiftly delivered a vibrant, attack-minded Sunderland side who fully deserve to be top. And, following a season of being an easy touch on home soil, Sunderland are turning the Stadium of Light into a fortress.

The Black Cats have reeled off four successive home wins and another success could be on the cards against fifth-placed Leeds, who make the tough trip to Wearside amid a mounting injury crisis.

Leeds drew 1-1 at Norwich on Tuesday but Bulgarian midfielder Ilia Gruev lasted just 19 minutes and has joined Dan James, Manor Solomon and skipper Ethan Ampadu among others on the sidelines.

Taking on Sunderland with a first-choice side would have been a tough enough but Leeds must take on the challenge with a second-string central midfield pairing of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell.

The Yorkshire visitors know that a two-goal success would take them top of the table but, given their depleted state, a second defeat of the season is a likelier scenario.

Key stat

Sunderland have won their last four home matches without conceding a goal.

Sunderland vs Leeds team news

Sunderland
Ian Poveda has joined Niall Huggins, Jenson Seelt and Aji Alese on the sidelines.

Leeds
Ilia Gruev was injured in the 1-1 draw at Norwich. He joins Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, Max Wober, Manor Solomon and Isaac Schmidt in the visitors' treatment room.

Probable teams

Sunderland (4-3-3): Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Mundle.
Subs: Browne, Rusyn, Watson, Aleksic, Johnson, Hjelde, Ba.

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph.
Subs: Bamford, Byram, Chambers, Crew, Debayo, Gelhardt, Piroe.

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