In the competition for automatic promotion, the Whites have five more cup finals to go, and after their 2-1 loss to Coventry City on Saturday, they are no longer in control of the top two.
In actuality, it was the first time Leeds had lost a league game in 2024, but at this point in the season, they can no longer afford for that performance to continue.
Due to illness, Leeds may be without captain Ethan Ampadu for the first time since he arrived from Chelsea last summer. Despite this, Daniel Farke will be eager to have him fit considering how crucial he has been.
Meanwhile, Sunderland’s season has fizzled out.
Prutton shares prediction for Leeds vs Sunderland tonight
After losing 1-0 in the rematch at the Stadium of Light in December, Leeds will be trying to prevent Sunderland from beating them in the league for the first time.
Daniel Farke’s team will be happy to be back at home for the next two games as they attempt to resume their quest for the top two. They are still undefeated at Elland Road this season.
Leeds will need a strong showing from many of their players in order to recover from their disappointing showing against Coventry on Saturday.seventeen hours prior
According to David Prutton, a former midfielder for Leeds, who recently wrote a blog for Sky Sports,
Predicted Leeds XI to face Sunderland
As previously noted, Ampadu’s illness is the sole new issue regarding his health going into the game, but he will be itching to play, so perhaps he will recover in time.
Given how he recently handled Hull City’s Jaden Philogene, Sam Byram ought to be brought back in as right-back to handle Clarke’s threat.
Connor Roberts and Willy Gnonto are still too injured to start, and despite requests for a change, Patrick Bamford is most likely to maintain his position ahead of Mateo Joseph.
The Black Cats are among the few teams in the Championship that have nothing to lose in the last five games of the season, but Dodds will want to leave a lasting impression before he leaves the dugout.
When the teams met again in December, Dodds was actually Sunderland’s interim manager. Jobe Bellingham’s goal gave Leeds the victory, 1-0.
In order to guarantee automatic promotion to the Premier League, Leeds must prevent a recurrence of that kind of result tonight in the first of their five remaining cup finals.
Daniel Farke’s perspective
Sunderland boss Dodds comments on Leeds bench ahead of tonight
The Coventry manager, Mark Robins, called Farke’s roster a “joke” at this level despite the team’s victory over Leeds over the weekend. This was because of the players he was able to add.
Connor Roberts and Willy Gnonto came off the bench since they were both back to full health. Both the expensive addition Joel Piroe and the talented young attacker Mateo Joseph were introduced.
Dodds wanted to address this topic in his pre-game press conference because Leeds undoubtedly have one of, if not the best squad in the division when completely fit.
Given the quantity of “Premier League quality” players Leeds have, both starting and reserve, Dodds thinks their point total is about what one would anticipate.
Indeed, and I’m sure the atmosphere helps with it, he remarked. They possess Premier League calibre, to return to my earlier point. Upon examining their roster, players, bench, and unavailable players, these numbers are in line with what one may anticipate.
“With all due respect to Leeds United, they are the figures you would expect.” You’re probably sick of hearing me say this at every press conference, but there are no easy games in this league, so it’s going to be a difficult game.
It is imperative that we go there fully committed. Each player must play to the best of their abilities because if we don’t, our quality could be detrimental.it.”
Farke must utilise his bench more for Leeds
Since many Leeds players are internationals, the Championship is a 46-game season that is long and demanding, hence there have been some noticeably worn-out legs lately.
Farke has a tendency to leave his bench unutilized until the last 20 minutes, with the exception of Saturday when he did make a change at halftime. This is a mistake that he has been unable to commit in the previous five games.
Farke must be proactive in his substitution of players if a certain game is not going well. A few players have the ability to alter games: Gnonto, Joseph, Piroe, Roberts, and even Jaydon Anthony. These have to be utilised.
