Leeds United face a real test of their promotion credentials with a trip to Championship table-toppers Sunderland.
While many had Leeds as the pre-season favourites for a return to the Premier League, it is Sunderland who are the early pace-setters under Regis Le Bris.
Sunderland have won all four matches at the Stadium of Light without conceding so far this season but Leeds will arguably prove their toughest test yet.
Le Bris talked up Leeds’ promotion hopes in his pre-match press conference but could not really have asked for a better time to face the Whites.
Leeds have been rocked by the news this week both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev face lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury, who have been staples of Daniel Farke‘s side throughout 2024.
Adrian Clarke says Leeds promotion hopes have received ‘seismic blow’
The 1-1 draw at Norwich City on Tuesday was the first time Leeds had played a league match without Ampadu in the starting XI since he joined in July last year.
Gruev would have been a more than able deputy in that holding midfield role, but to have lost him for a substantial period of time just a few days later is rotten luck.
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell are now Leeds’ only fit senior midfield options and so the pressure is not only on them to stay fit, but also performance consistently week-in, week-out for the next three months.
However, speaking on the latest episode of the ‘What The EFL Podcast‘, pundit Adrian Clarke does not believe that partnership is as strong as Ampadu and Gruev’s, and so thinks Leeds’ promotion hopes have received a massive blow.
He said: “Seismic blow for Leeds United and their prospects of getting promoted. I think it’s massive, and that misery could be compounded by the time people listen to this podcast because Ilia Gruev, his midfield partner, limped off at Norwich and is having a scan.
“They are worried about him and his availability moving forward. That would leave the new player Tanaka, who did alright actually at Norwich and looked good maybe alongside Joe Rothwell, who dropped into a more orthodox central midfield position.
“Tanaka and Rothwell I don’t think is as strong at the outset as Ampadu and Gruev, who are tried and trusted in the Championship. Ampadu in particular is a huge influence with the ball, with his range of passing, but also without the ball he’s got that defensive nous and great reading of the game.
“That is a problem, who have been really solid. Teams have had 67 touches inside the Leeds box this season. So what, you think? Well, the next closest is Middlesbrough on 96. Sunderland I think is 116 and they are one of the best teams at protecting their box.”
Clarke predicts Sunderland vs Leeds
After Clarke’s comments about Leeds’ promotion hopes taking a dent, he believes that will start tonight at the Stadium of Light.
Due to the fine form Sunderland are in, Clarke says the momentum they have built could see them ‘nick’ all three points’ against an injury hit Leeds team.
He said: “Leeds are keeping teams at arms length very well, but without two solid midfield players, that might change moving forward. At the other end of the pitch pretty good, Largie Ramazani looks good in the absence of Solomon.
“It was a top draw finish from him, very crisp at Norwich. You’ve got Willy Gnonto who’s started the season on fire. Joseph up front is a great platform for them, but not scoring that many.
“I agree with Sam, low scoring game, but maybe the cards have fallen quite kindly for Sunderland. It wouldn’t surprise me if they nick this, the home team.”
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