Sunderland vs Leeds Predictions

• Sunderland have won all four of their home games without conceding.
• Sunderland claimed four points off Leeds last season.
• Leeds have failed to score in both of their previous games with top four rivals.

Pacesetters Sunderland can see off Leeds

Sunderland lead the way in the Championship after eight round of fixtures with 18 points, three ahead of Friday’s opponents Leeds.

The visitors go into this game as the favourites and as underdogs Sunderland look a great bet here.

Last season, Leeds finished in third spot on 90 points and Sunderland ended up just six points clear of danger. The Wearsiders enjoyed the better of the head-to-head meetings, however, claiming four points from the two games and keeping two clean sheets. These sides look far more evenly matched this term and with home advantage Sunderland can claim maximum points.

Regis Le Bris’ side have a perfect home record with four wins and four clean sheets in as many games. Leeds have only lost once, but they have struggled against key rivals. The Yorkshire side have faced the other two members of the current top four and drew blanks on each occasion, playing out a bore draw at West Brom before losing 1-0 at home to Burnley.

A Sunderland win is the main bet and I’m making this a three-star selection. Leeds have the stronger squad, but taking into account the price on a home win, Sunderland’s home form and the visitors’ previous results against their early title rivals I think a home win looks a great value play here.

A 1-0 win for the hosts is the correct score play as this should be a tight affair. After shipping six goals across their opening two games, Leeds have only conceded two goals in their following seven and with Sunderland yet to concede at home this may well be a low-scoring fixture but one Le Bris’ side can edge.