Leeds vs Sunderland predictions: Leeds' greater need can see them secure win
Warren Ashurst
Only Arsenal, Man City, Aston Villa and Tottenham have won at Elland Road this season
Sunderland have won just two of their 14 away league games
Recommended bet: Leeds to win
Two long-time rivals meet at Elland Road on Tuesday evening, with both Leeds and Sunderland impressing on their returns to the Premier League.
Despite just three defeats in their last 15 league matches, Leeds are still just six points outside the relegation zone and not sure of their long-term top-flight status.
However, Daniel Farke’s men have lost just four of their 14 home games and Elland Road under the lights has been an intimidating place for opposing teams this season.
Team news
Leeds changed formation for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City, starting with a 5-4-1 set-up in order to try and negate the threat of the title contenders.
The hosts look likely to go back to the 3-4-2-1 they deployed in the win over Nottingham Forest in their previous home fixture.
That could see Anton Stach or Ilia Gruev drop out for either Lukas Nemecha or Wilfried Gnonto.
Sunderland are without four first-team squad members due to injury, with Romaine Mundle, Jocelin Ta Bi, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo Mandava absent.
After scoring in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, Eliezer Mayenda is expected to start up front once again for the Black Cats.
The stats
It is 20 years since Sunderland last won at Elland Road — a 3-0 success in September 2006.
Three of the last four meetings between the sides have finished in draws.
There were nine yellow cards in last season’s Championship match-up between the two teams, six for Sunderland and three for Leeds.
Five of the last six Premier League games between two newly promoted clubs have been won by the home team.
The Black Cats are winless in their last nine Premier League midweek games.
The five home games Leeds have failed to win this season have all been against teams in the top-six.
The latest Leeds vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Leeds’ bid to survive in the Premier League has been built around a solid home record, with 22 of their 31 points coming at Elland Road.
The Whites will also be boosted by Sunderland’s away form, with Regis Le Bris’ squad winning just two of their 14 matches on the road.
The Black Cats have not won on their last three visits to Leeds, with one loss and two draws, with that defeat coming in dramatic fashion last term.
Wilson Isidor put the visitors in front in the first half, before two goals from Pascal Struijk in the last 12 minutes snatched the points for the hosts.
This season’s reverse fixture finished in a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light, but the majority of the stats favoured Leeds.
The Yorkshire club, who could move within three points of their opponents with a win, had more possession, more shots and more corners in that share of the spoils.
Back Leeds to win at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Leeds vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
