Leeds United fans admit 'real concern' ahead of Sunderland game as panel unanimous in glass-half-empty prediction

NEIL GREWER

On paper, tonight’s game is Leeds United’s most challenging game of the season to date with Sunderland sitting on top of the league.

Personally, I always hate playing Sunderland as pre-match analysis and commentators always refer to that FA Cup final in 1973, which for me was the first time I remember watching a full Leeds game.

This game is made more challenging with injuries to Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Dan James, Manor Solomon and other squad players.

The squad is stretched, and recovery time post-Norwich is minimal.

Daniel Farke may believe a draw to be a decent result in the grand scheme of things at Carrow Road yet with Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani in good form, Leeds are capable of sneaking a win.

Corners are becoming a real concern for me.

We have now taken over 150 corners since we last scored from one and making matters worse at Norwich the opposition broke dangerously twice from our corners.

This is not rocket science – it needs rectifying.

Set pieces are a vital part of the game yet our biggest weakness in an attacking sense.

Prediction: Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1.

ANDY RHODES

Tonight’s trip to Sunderland marks the second tough away game in four days for Daniel Farke’s men.

The performance at Norwich City may not have caught the eye, but it was a well-earned point amidst a mounting injury crisis.

Daniel Farke will have to find some solutions within his ranks and turn his team around quickly.

Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani looked bright once again.

If Leeds are searching for a winner tonight he can’t afford to take them off the pitch.

Joe Rodon will be looking to bounce back from an uncharacteristically shaky performance at Norwich, while more is required from Leeds’ strikers.

Sunderland haven’t conceded a home goal this season and will pose a serious challenge for the Whites.

These are exactly the kind of games they need to win to stake their claim for promotion.

Will Leeds have enough in the tank, or are their injury worries too much against a young and hungry home side?

Prediction: Sunderland 2 Leeds United 0.

DAVID WATKINS

The Championship is currently looking even more unpredictable than ever, as witnessed by recent results.

This week we saw previous leaders West Brom fall to defeat at home to Middlesbrough and high-flying Watford were humbled by lowly Preston just days after they beat current leaders and our next opponents, Sunderland.

Coventry City beat previously undefeated Blackburn Rovers 3-0, days after we thrashed a poor-looking Sky Blues outfit by the same score. It’s all baffling!

By way of contrast, the season so far for Leeds has been largely predictable; we’ve been pretty good in every game and, other than the weird games against Pompey and Burnley when the results hardly reflected the performances, we’ve pretty much got the results fans expected, including this week’s draw at Norwich; the Canaries being undefeated at Carrow Road for almost a year.

So, what to expect at Sunderland? Everything points to another tough game.

The Black Cats have a 100 per cent home record and are yet to concede a goal at the Stadium of Light, Leeds of course are undefeated and have only conceded one goal, a penalty on Tuesday at Norwich, on their travels.

Logic suggests a bet on a 0-0 draw ought to be profitable.

Prediction: Sunderland 0 Leeds United 0.

KEITH INGHAM

So, Leeds have to plan for the foreseeable future without the services of club captain Ethan Ampadu, sidelined with a knee injury.

Daniel Farke must wonder how his side will cope without one of the stars of last season.

He is already without Dan James, another key player from last season.

It’s up to Rothwell and Ao Tanaka to step from the bench and hopefully our captain won’t be missed too much.

Tuesday saw Leeds come away with a point at Norwich City. City were ahead thanks to a penalty. Largie Ramazani scored in the second half to earn a good point away from home. Unfortunately, they also lost Ilia Gruev early in the game.

Farke is having no luck with injuries. Rothwell and AO will hopefully stay fit or Leeds may be in big trouble in the middle of the park.

Sunderland have four wins from four home games and beat Derby County on Tuesday 2-0.

Last season they beat Leeds 1-0 with a goal from Jobe Bellingham.

With injuries seriously hampering the manager this may be one the fans take on the chin as I see Sunderland being a bit too strong, especially at home. A draw is the best I can hope for but I think we may be disappointed.

Prediction: Sunderland 2 Leeds United 1.

MIKE GILL

After a well-deserved away point at Carrow Road, United travel to Wearside to face an even tougher test.

The Stadium of Light will be packed and noisy for this encounter with all that is at stake, but I don’t expect the well-drilled Whites to be overawed by this big occasion.

Of more concern is the midfield injury problem. With Ethan Ampadu already out for a long period, the injury to Ilia Gruev was a big blow on Tuesday.

They coped admirably without the consistent Bulgarian international but news of the extent of his trauma is eagerly awaited. Sunderland have made a fine start to the season and they brushed Derby aside on Tuesday as United toiled at Norwich.

Three points separate the top six sides in the Championship and although a win for the Whites would be a major achievement, a draw would at least maintain the status quo.

As the current season unfolds, the teams who will call the shots in this division are those who can show a level of consistency.

Ilan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo, Joe Rodon, Brenden Aaronson and Willy Gnonto have all put in top performances on a regular basis and I’m backing them to continue in this vein.

Prediction: Sunderland 1 Leeds United 1.