Sunderland expert gives us the lowdown ahead of Leeds United’s trip to the Stadium of Light on Friday night

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Leeds United go to Sunderland on Friday night in their final fixture before the October international break and Black Cats expert Luke Phelps has predicted the result.

The opening fixture of the weekend sees Daniel Farke’s injury-hit side take on the Championship’s early pace-setters. Manager Regis Le Bris was linked with Leeds in 2023, and he is starring in his role as boss.

That is despite Sunderland losing Thorp Arch academy product Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town, where he has reunited with Kalvin Phillps and Leif Davis, as Kieran McKenna’s side look to secure Premer League safety.

Leeds come into the game with an extensive injury list. Ilia Gruev looks unlikely to shake off a knock he picked up at Norwich on Tuesday night, joining captain Ethan Ampadu on the sidelines at Thorp Arch.

Dan James, Max Wober and Manor Solomon are also set to miss out, though Isaac Schmidt could return on Friday if he can overcome a glute injury. Leeds though, look like they are in for a tough evening.

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Sunderland expert predicts Friday’s clash against Leeds United

Sunderland meanwhile, come into the game with confidence high. Returning to the summit of England’s second tier, they beat Derby County in routine 2-0 win in the week and will fancy their chances on Friday.

Certainly, if they could pick a time to play against Leeds, Friday night would be it. Leeds have big-name players but Sunderland have momentum and Sunderland AFC News writer Phelps thinks Sunderland win.

“Knowing that Leeds United are pretty injury-hit ahead of this one, I’m tempted to back Sunderland to claim a win, especially at home. The Black Cats have a perfect home record this season,” Phelps said.

“They have already put away Burnley. And coming into it off the back of a very routine win over Derby County, in which Sunderland never really got out of second gear, a win against Leeds seems very doable.

“It’s arguably their biggest test of the season so far. But if this young squad can contain their emotions and play the game, not the occasion, I reckon it’ll be a home win. I’ll say 2-1 Sunderland,” he continued.

History between Sunderland and Leeds suggests a home win

In the last decade, Leeds and Sunderland have only done battle on five occasions, largely with Leeds going into League One and then Sunderland doing so. The first of those five games came back in 2015.

Last season, not many teams got under Leeds’ skin but Sunderland did. They took five points off Farke’s men, including a Jobe Bellingham-inspired Sunderland at the Stadium of Light back in December 2023.

Sunderland kept Leeds at bay twice last term, and Leeds have only won once in the last seven meetings between the two sides, a game which saw Thomas Christiansen’s Leeds beat Simon Grayson’s Sunderland.