David Prutton has shared his prediction for Leeds United’s clash with Sunderland this evening.
The Whites face the first of five remaining cup finals in the race for automatic promotion, with the top two now out of their hands after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Coventry City.
It was actually the first team Leeds had been beaten in the league across the whole of 2024, but they simply cannot afford for that form to continue at this stage of the season.
Leeds could be without talisman Ethan Ampadu for the first time since his arrival from Chelsea last summer due to illness, though Daniel Farke will be desperate to have him fit given how important he has been.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have seen their season peter out into mid-table mediocrity but do have former Leeds winger Jack Clarke back fit and so will pose some threat in attack.
Prutton shares prediction for Leeds vs Sunderland tonight
Leeds were beaten 1-0 in the return fixture at the Stadium of Light back in December and so will be looking to avoid Sunderland becoming the first team to complete a league double over them.
Daniel Farke’s side are still actually unbeaten at Elland Road this season and so will be pleased to be back at home for the next two matches, as they look to get their push for top two back on track.
Leeds had too many players below their best at Coventry on Saturday and so a big performance will be needed by many of them to bounce back.
Former Leeds midfielder David Prutton has shared his prediction for the match in his latest column for Sky Sports, and believes this is a ‘kind fixture’ to return to winning ways.
He said: “That was a real setback for Leeds at Coventry, but it wasn’t hugely unexpected with it being such a tough trip. They need to bounce back quickly, mind.
“But this is a kind fixture as Sunderland are just trying to get through to the end of the season now. This should be a home win. Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Sunderland.“
Predicted Leeds XI to face Sunderland
BBC pundit Jon Newsome said at the weekend he would not be surprised if Farke makes a number of changes to his starting XI tonight, but based on what he said in his presser, it doesn’t feel like that will happen.
As mentioned, Ampadu is the only fresh fitness doubt heading into the match through illness, but he will be desperate to play and so hopefully recovers in time.
Elsewhere, Sam Byram should be brought back in at right-back to cope with the threat of Clarke, given how he dealt with Hull City’s Jaden Philogene recently.
Neither Connor Roberts or Willy Gnonto are yet fit enough to start after injury, while Patrick Bamford seems likely to keep his place ahead of Mateo Joseph, despite calls for change.