'Edge it', 'Go all out' - Chris Sutton and Paul Merson disagree on Leeds United vs Sunderland prediction
Leeds United welcome Sunderland to Elland Road in just a few hours.
Former striker Chris Sutton expects Leeds United to ‘edge’ a tight game under the Elland Road lights against Sunderland this evening.
Leeds welcome the Black Cats to West Yorkshire looking to bounce back from a frustrating 1-0 weekend defeat against Manchester City. Daniel Farke’s side performed well against the title contenders but missed chances and an inconsistent refereeing performance saw them punished through Antoine Semenyo’s first-half added-time finish.
Midweek visitors Sunderland are winless in four but having enjoyed an outstanding first-half of the campaign, face no threat of relegation. The pair drew 1-1 at the Stadium of Light back in December and Sutton expects the home advantage should be enough for Leeds to claim all three points.
In his predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: “This is a big game for Leeds, who are six points above the relegation zone with 10 games to go, but have still got work to do. I've been impressed by Daniel Farke's side recently, but they still rely a lot on their home form - they have picked up 22 points from 14 games at Elland Road compared to nine from 14 on the road - so it feels like they need to win this.
“Sunderland have not won in four league games but I'm not reading too much into that - Granit Xhaka's return from injury made a difference against Bournemouth on Saturday, and a draw was a good result for them. This is going to be close but Leeds like playing under the lights - they pushed Manchester City all the way on Saturday evening, and this time I think it is them who will edge it. Prediction: 1-0.”
Victory would pull Leeds nine points clear of 18th-placed West Ham, who travel to Fulham later this week, and would be a momentous step towards Premier League safety. Sunderland have virtually completed their task of surviving and despite the poor run, looked much better in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth over the weekend.
Paul Merson’s Leeds United vs Sunderland prediction
That improvement coincided with the return of midfield talisman Granit Xhaka, who had missed all of the three previous defeats. Regis Le Bris’ side do have a handful of fitness issues to manage but with Xhaka no longer one of them, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson expects the spoils to be shared again.
Merson wrote, via Sportskeeda: “I was quite impressed by Sunderland in their draw with Bournemouth. I thought they did well in that game. However, an away trip to Leeds is always a challenge for any team in this division.
“This is a huge game for Leeds. After this, they face Crystal Palace away, Brentford at home and Manchester United away. But they held their own against Manchester City even though they lost that game.
“Sunderland won't get relegated or compete for a European spot this season. In that case, I expect them to go all out at teams from now until the end of the season. If they have a go at Leeds, this will become an open and entertaining game.
“Leeds are playing well even when they're losing games. I don't expect them to get relegated but a draw here. Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Sunderland.”